Lemonette does her thing

Lemonette, a marathoner in Britain before being imported to the U.S. in 2008, finally got a chance to play to her strength in the 1 1/2-mile, $50,000 Gaily Gaily Stakes at Arlington Park, and she didn't disappoint.

Relishing a stretch-out in distance and capitalizing on the scratches of Communique, Confined, Positively Charming, and Grassy Nellie, Lemonette proved vastly superior, winning by over two lengths over Cavan Thunder.

Racing over a "good" course that played more like soft going, Lemonette raced in the rear half of the pack early - just where she needed to be with Ballynoe, Woodford Girl, and Peinture Fraiche contesting the lead. Although the fractions of the race did not appear overly fast, with the first half-mile timed in 54.57 seconds and six furlongs in 1:19.26, they proved too taxing for the leaders over the wet going.

Cavan Thunder was never challenged for the place, and was followed well back Ballynoe in third.

Lemonette, a 6-year-old mare by Lemon Drop Kid, raced 1 1/2 miles in 2:35.88, paying $4.80 as the favorite in the field of eight.

Owned by Jerry Jamgotchian and trained by Eric Reed, Lemonette was ridden by Junior Alvarado, whose victory aboard Lemonette marked his third win in a row on the card.