Lil Mai Tai makes it three in a row

Lil Mai Tai, who knocked off an even-money favorite when she won the City of Anderson Stakes last month, upended an even bigger favorite in the $45,000 Miss Indiana Stakes for statebred 2-year-old fillies at Hoosier Park.

Sent away as the second choice, Lil Mai Tai ($10.80) rallied from slightly off the pace to post a one-length win over the late closing Ring Ring Ring, who edged the pacesetting Rachel Wiggles by a head for the place. The big disappointment in the field was the 3-5 favorite Gulf Coast Special, a fast maiden winner in her debut at Retama Park who failed to make the lead and wound up fifth.

Lil Mai Tai, who lost her first three races while wearing blinkers, has now won three straight since their removal. Ridden by Inosencio Diego and trained by Genaro Garcia, who co-owns the filly with Pine Creek Farm, Lil Mai Tai covered six furlongs in 1:14.69.