La Gran Bailadora makes it three in a row in Likely Exchange

La Gran Bailadora swept to victory Saturday night under Jozbin Santana when she rallied from well back to post a 2 3/4-length score in the $50,000 Likely Exchange Stakes at Turfway Park.

Trained by Mike Maker for breeder-owner Tracy Farmer, La Gran Bailadora was winning for the third straight time after coming into form with two straight Turfway allowance wins. She finished the one-mile distance in 1:41.57 over Polytrack and returned $12 as third choice in a field of 11 fillies and mares.

Hungry Tigress, the 3-1 co-favorite, finished second, another 3 1/4 lengths before another Maker trainee, Jonmil’s Edge. The other 3-1 favorite, Zonga Zing, faded badly to finish 10th.

La Gran Bailadora, a 4-year-old filly by Afleet Alex, has won 4 of 13 overall starts and earned slightly more than $105,000.

Maker continues to enjoy an outstanding winter-spring meet at Turfway despite having his better horses stabled elsewhere. He is the leading trainer in wins and earnings and won the previous stakes, the WEBN on Feb. 5, with Twinspired.

Turfway began Saturday night programs on Feb. 5 and will continue that way except for daytime racing on March 26, Vinery Racing Spiral Day.