Lovable Lyss candidate for Silverbulletday

Hugh Robertson took out his trainer’s license in 1976, so when he says that Lovable Lyss is the best filly he has ever trained, there’s some historical weight behind the statement. And that’s what Robertson said Friday, the day after Lovable Lyss won her second race of the Fair Grounds meet in her first try around two turns, winning by five lengths after setting a strong pace. The race decided by midstretch, Cisco Torres eased Lovable Lyss through the final furlong.

“It’s been a while since I sat on one like her,” Torres said after the race. “She’s got a beautiful stride to her. She’s for sure the real deal.”

Lovable Lyss, by Big Brown and out of an unraced Stephen Got Even mare, “wanted to get speed-crazy” over the summer, Robertson said, but fell out the back door in her career debut, rallying to finish second by a head on Polytrack at Arlington.

Robertson waited for Fair Grounds with the filly. She won a maiden sprint here by 3 3/4 lengths Nov. 21 and probably ran her way into the Silverbulletday Stakes on Jan. 16 with Thursday’s performance. Lovable Lyss ran one mile and 70 yards in 1:44.33, earning an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.