Genuine Devotion takes fourth in row

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - New York invader Genuine Devotion led all the way in notching her fourth straight victory, and her first in a graded stakes, when she held off Brownie Points in Sunday's closing-day feature at Churchill Downs, the Grade 3, $101,161 Locust Grove Handicap.

Ridden by Alan Garcia, Genuine Devotion ($6.60) won by a half-length as the slight favorite in a field of 10 fillies and mares. Brownie Points rallied strongly to finish 2 1/4 lengths before Bayou's Lassie.

Genuine Devotion, a 4-year-old Irish-bred filly owned by James Barry and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, finished the one-mile race in 1:35.76 over a firm turf course. She now has won 5 of 8 overall starts. The Locust Grove was her first attempt beyond six furlongs, following victories in three straight turf sprints at Belmont Park.

Genuine Devotion carried 115 pounds, five fewer than Brownie Points, the 120-pound highweight ridden by Luis Quinonez.

Robby Albarado finished as the meet's leading jockey, Tom Amoss was the leading trainer, and Ken and Sarah Ramsey were the leading owners.