Kettle Hill earns her first stakes win

Stakes accomplishments took a backseat to recent activity in the $50,000 Prairie Bayou at Turfway Park, as Kettle Hill - coming off a runner-up finish in a second-level allowance at Churchill Downs on Nov. 22 - easily defeated favored Drilling for Oil, who had not raced since winning the Grade Louisville Handicap on May 26.

Kettle Hill, ridden by Bill Troilo, rated in midpack early among the field of eight, took command leaving the second turn, and drew off as much the best. He scored by 3 1/4 lengths over Drilling for Oil, who after making the lead for the opening quarter, fell back to fourth on the backstretch, before re-rallying for the runner-up position.

Late running Sea of Trees ran third, 2 3/4 lengths behind Drilling for Oil,.

Kettle Hill ($10.80) raced 1 1/8 miles over Polytrack in 1:50.84, recording his first stakes victory for trainer Ian Wilkes. He has made $151,986 for owners Randall L. Bloch, Phil Milner and Keith Basso.