Launch Light Lady beats boys in Stallion Futurity

ALTOONA, Iowa - With Prairie Meadows hosting Fillies' Friday to kick-off every weekend in July, it seemed fitting to have an on-the-track battle of the sexes. Filly Launch Light Lady took six boys gate-to-wire to win the Iowa Stallion Futurity, a 5 1/2-furlong stakes for 2-year-olds. The race was restricted to the progeny of stallions whose shares were donated to the Iowa Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association stallion service auction, and with Iowa-bred supplement and fees, distributed a total of $93,415.

Launch Light Lady came into the race as the only filly, and the only entrant with a maiden victory.

"She run a real big race. Every thing we have asked her to do, she has done perfectly," said Trainer Kelly Von Hemel.

Launch Light Lady ($2.80) broke sharply and used little effort to gain the lead. She went through the early fractions in 22.61 and 46.46 seconds. Glen Murphy confidently handled the filly to the top of the lane, showed her the whip, and she drew off to win by 6 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:05.06. Her stablemate, King of Love, broke just behind the filly and chased her the entire race to finish second, ahead of second-choice See Me Now.

Launch Light Lady is the third stakes winner out of owner William Hobbs's broodmare Velva. Launch Light Lady now has two wins from three starts and has earned $86,425. Von Hemel indicated that Launch Light Lady will be given a break before competing in the Iowa Sorority on Iowa Classic Night. Iowa Classic Night, which features seven stakes for statebreds, will take place on Aug. 7.