Lady Edith ($51.60) surprises in Mamzelle Stakes
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Lady Edith split horses in deep stretch in pulling a 24-1 upset Saturday in a four-way photo at Churchill Downs in the $108,075 Mamzelle Stakes, an overnight stakes run at five furlongs over a firm turf course.
Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Lady Edith prevailed by a neck over New Boss, a 14-1 shot, in what devolved into a mad scramble among nine 3-year-old fillies. Nearly every horse was in contention at some point, with the late comers overhauling the front-runners in the final furlong.
Lady Edith was the third-longest shot in the lineup when exiting a March 24 allowance victory at Turfway Park. The chestnut filly is trained by Tommy Drury for her owner-breeders, Sandy New, and one of Drury’s longtime clients, Dr. David Richardson.
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Lady Edith returned $51.60 after finishing in 57.04 seconds. She now has won three of six starts, with the Mamzelle being her first stakes triumph. It was also the first-ever stakes win at Churchill for Drury, a Louisville native and lifelong resident.
“To win my first stakes here and do it for Doc, what do you say?” Drury said. “She finally found a hole late and seemed like she was full of run. I’m just so happy.”
Both of the top two finishers were sired by Street Boss.
Navratilova was third, a head behind New Boss, while Illegal Smile had the best finish of three Wesley Ward fillies when checking in fourth, just another neck back. The other Ward starters, Amanzi Yimpilo (seventh) and Wink (ninth), shared the lead turning for home before fading.
An original field of 13 3-year-old fillies was winnowed down by four early scratches.
The $2 exacta (11-8) paid $577.60, the $1 trifecta (11-8-12) returned $1,531, and the 10-cent superfecta (11-8-12-3) was worth $1,355.13.
Baffert sweeps a pair
Earlier Saturday, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was represented by two wins from as many starters when Himiko ($4.20) and Crystal Ball ($3.40) won allowance races about an hour apart. Florent Geroux was aboard both Baffert winners.
Through Saturday, Baffert had a 5-for-9 record at the Churchill spring meet, with his biggest win, of course, coming with Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby. Baffert was scheduled to be here Sunday and Monday mornings to watch his two Preakness runners, Medina Spirit and Concert Tour, go through their training paces before the colts leave later Monday by van for Baltimore.