Lazy Slusan best in Milady

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Lazy Slusan seems to have run out of competition in California.

Following her victory in Sunday's $254,300 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park, trainer and co-owner John Dolan said he intends to point the 6-year-old Lazy Slusan to the division's top race - the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff at Belmont Park in October.

Along the way, she will have a few more starts at home, including the $250,000 Vanity Handicap on June 30.

Such a run seemed improbable last July when Dolan and Sam Longo claimed Lazy Slusan for $62,500 at Del Mar.

"This is kind of a fairy tale," Dolan said.

In the Grade 1 Milady, Lazy Slusan ($4.20) won by 2 1-2 lengths over Lady Melesi, running 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.25 before an ontrack crowd of 10,293.

The Milady was Lazy Slusan's second Grade 1 win of the year. At Santa Anita in March, she won the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap, the first graded stakes win of her career.

The winner's share of $157,980 from the Milady improved Lazy Slusan's career earnings to $1,034,410 after 12 wins in 44 starts.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Lazy Slusan was off the pace in the first half of the race, avoiding the speed duel that eventually cost Feverish and Frankly My Dear. Feverish led early, through fractions of 23.33 and 46.58 seconds, and was joined on the second turn by Frankly My Dear, La Ronge and Lady Melesi. At that point, Lazy Slusan was fifth, 2 1-2 lengths off the pace.

"I had a good trip all the way. I sat behind them," Espinoza said. "She surprised me at the three-eighths pole when she went off the bridle. But when I asked her, she took off again."

Chasing tiring fillies and mares in early stretch, Lazy Slusan took the lead inside the eighth pole while running well off the rail.

"The way she loomed up, I felt pretty confident at the top of the stretch," Dolan said. "I feel more confident when the horse is a little farther back. That's kind of the way I train her."

Lady Melesi closed from fourth to be second, a half-length in front of Feverish, who was followed by La Ronge, Frankly My Dear and Mimi's Cafe.

Feverish was attempting to win her first Grade 1 in her 37th start.

"I think they went a little too fast," said Dan Hendricks, who trains Feverish. "She was third in a Grade 1. We can't complain."