Lucky Folie displays high speed in Desi Arnaz victory

DEL MAR, Calif. – After Lucky Folie won her debut, trainer Richard Mandella gave the 2-year-old filly a chance to get on the fast track to the Breeders’ Cup, but when she failed to win her second start, he decided to be re-group and be patient.

Version 2.0 of Lucky Folie was unveiled at Del Mar on Sunday, and she responded by speeding to a front-running victory in the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, a race in which Pretty N Cool, the 3-5 favorite, faded badly in the final furlong and wound up last of five.

Lucky Folie ($6.40), under Gary Stevens, fought off a wall of horses through the lane to prevail by a half-length over Treasuring, who nosed out Street Fancy for second. Surfside Tiara was another half-length back in fourth. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to Pretty N Cool.

Pretty N Cool had a sizeable show wager placed on her, resulting in show prices of $6 on Lucky Folie, $10.80 on Treasuring, and $15.80 on Street Fancy.

Lucky Folie was timed in 1:23.86 for seven furlongs over a fast main track after setting fractions of 22.48 seconds, 44.99, and 1:10.44. She had a five-length lead after a half-mile.

“I knew she could run that fast early. I just didn’t think she would. I thought she would relax a little,” Mandella said. “But she was doing it real easy, and I liked that when she took a breather and then the field came to her, she dug back in.”

Lucky Folie, a daughter of Distorted Humor, was bred and is owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.

Lucky Folie has now won twice in three starts, and the $60,000 winner’s share on Sunday brought her lifetime total to $114,000. Both her wins have come at Del Mar, where she defeated maidens on Sept. 6. She finished second, then was disqualified to third, when she stretched out on turf in the Surfer Girl at Santa Anita on Oct. 10.