Henrietta Topham surges late to claim Mint Julep Stakes
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Henrietta Topham surged past favored White Frost inside the final hundred yards to score a half-length victory in Sunday’s Grade 3, $225,000 Mint Julep Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf on the final day of racing in Louisville, Ky., before Churchill Downs shifts the remainder of its ongoing spring meet to Ellis Park.
Churchill has been plagued by 12 equine fatalities since the track opened for training in late March. While extensive testing of the racing surfaces has not revealed any abnormalities, and no underlying common causes have yet been found in investigations into the stricken horses, Churchill announced on Friday night that, following this weekend's action, the remainder of its meet will be conducted at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., a track owned by the same parent company, in order to allow for continuing diagnostics in Louisville. Following dark days this week, racing resumes at Ellis on Saturday, June 10.
Henrietta Topham ($19.24) was a stakes winner at Ellis last summer, taking the Centennial Distaff Turf Mile last August. Her victory Sunday at Churchill was her first graded stakes score. It was also the first career graded stakes win, and first win at Churchill Downs, for trainer Geoff Mulcahy.
“This horse is so turn-key and easy to train,” Mulcahy said. “She makes my job so easy. I’m thrilled for all the connections and the owner who pays such attention to detail in their horses and breeding. This horse is a third generation homebred and very special to all of us. It’s a team operation between us. They have a big say of what goes on, too.”
Henrietta Topham, who was ridden by James Graham, stopped the clock in 1:42.46 for the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf.
After White Frost in second, Sweet Dani Girl was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.10 to show. They were followed, in order, by Lady Hideaway and Kate’s Kingdom. Gam’s Mission, California Angel and New Year’s Eve were scratched.
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