Lincoln: Lou Lou Larou all the way in Bluegrass

LINCOLN, Neb. - Lou Lou Larue shook off a strong challenge from Nayborhood Affair through the far turn and edged away for a 1 3/4-length win as the 4-5 favorite in Saturday's $16,530 Bluegrass stakes at Lincoln Race Course.

Lou Lou Larue ran her record to a perfect 5 for 5 over this track under the handling of leading rider Jordan Olesiak by jumping out to an early lead and making all the pace racing well off what has been an extremely dead rail at the track this year. Racing three to five wide throughout, Lou Lou Larue was challenged by Nayborhood Affair into the far turn, kicked clear through the final sixteenth, and edged away in the field of seven older fillies and mares.

While Nayborhood Affair held second, it was the effort by third-place Gibson Crystal's jockey that provided the ride of the day. With Chris Fackler aboard Gibson Crystal for trainer Jesse Compton, the right stirrup broke as the horse left the gate of the six-furlong race. Fackler bellied down and stalked the leaders in good position while maintaining his left iron for nearly five furlongs. As the field neared the stretch, Fackler kicked out his left iron and continued valiantly to finish third, three-quarters of a length behind Nayborhood Affair.

Lou Lou Larue returned $3.80. A gray daughter of Blumin Affair trained by Chuck Turco, she pushed her career record to 8-2-1 from 12 starts and earnings of $105,604 for owner Richard Galyen. She combined with Nayborhood Affair for a 1-3 exacta worth $23.40 and covered the six furlongs in 1:13.40 over a fast track.