Lexie Lou holds off challenge, wins Victoriana Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The classy champion Lexie Lou turned back a bid from Internal Bourbon in the stretch during a workmanlike win Saturday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Victoriana Stakes.

Lexie Lou ($2.70) went straight to the front under Patrick Husbands, and set honest fractions in the 1 1/16-mile route for Ontario-sired females. She held a clear lead until near the three-sixteenths pole, where Internal Bourbon joined her up front, but she kicked in willing in the final furlong to score by a length, in a time of 1:41.05 over the firm turf.

“She has so much of a high cruising speed that you can’t fight with her,” Husbands said. “When that horse came to her, I said ‘come on baby, let’s go.’ I gave her two lashes, and she said ‘let’s go.’ The outrider had to pull her up for me. She’s just a racehorse.”

Lexie Lou, a daughter of Sligo Bay, collected $75,000 for owner Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse.

Internal Bourbon finished a clear second over the 29-1 outsider Shesanaturalblonde, who was followed by Conquest Strate Up, Hidden Turn and Super Sarah.