Katie M’Lady slows it down up front to take Bucks’ Boy Handicap

Odds-on favorite Katie M’lady dictated a slow pace and won the $75,000 Bucks’ Boy Handicap by 1 1/4 lengths over Another Mystery on Sunday at Hawthorne Racecourse.

The margin of victory belied the work Katie M’lady had to put in winning for the second time in two starts this year, her 7-year-old season. Katie M’lady cruised unchallenged through the first half-mile of this turf route for Illinois-breds, posting a 49.67 half-mile split, but after going clear in upper stretch, and looking like she’d win in a rout under Julio Felix, Katie M’lady appeared to tire at the furlong grounds. Nine-year-old Another Mystery, coming from last of six, bridged the gap to the wire before running out of ground. Katie M’lady was making her first start since June 15 and only her second since September.

Another Mystery finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Man of Attack, who went off just short of 70-1. Katie M’lady clocked 1:47.57 for 1 1/16 miles over a firm turf course with very long grass and paid $3.20. She carried 120 pounds, getting six pounds from high-weighted Another Mystery.

Michele Boyce trains the winner and is part of the group – Cherrywood Racing and Oak Rock Racing – that bred and campaigns the mare. Katie M’Lady is by Dominus out of Katie the Lady, by Lost Soldier. Boyce trained Katie the Lady as well as Katie the Lady’s dam, Kate the Great.

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