LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Lush Lips didn’t have the smoothest lead-up to Saturday’s $250,000 Tepin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Churchill Downs, missing her planned prep. But her victory was about as smooth as could be, as the filly cruised by 3 3/4 lengths as the favorite for her first stakes score. Lush Lips, who is trained by Brendan Walsh for the partnership of Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Stewart Hoffman, and the Coolmore connections, was entered in the Grade 3 Regret Stakes on May 31 at Churchill, the prep day for Saturday’s major card. However, the filly was a vet scratch the morning of the race. She turned in a solid breeze on June 17, and was primed and ready for her next engagement off almost a two-month break on Saturday. “She was primed the last day,” Walsh said. “We were super disappointed about what happened. I think she showed today that she’s as good as she’s ever been. Hopefully, she can get better, and we can have a big year with her.” British-born Lush Lips had been on or near the lead in her first three starts for the Walsh barn after transferring from Donnacha O'Brien's care. However, in the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes on May 2 at Churchill Downs, she closed from sixth to be second, and again settled off the pace Saturday, despite looking eager with nearly two months between starts. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Walsh said the filly "ended up on the lead" because of pace scenarios in some of her earlier races, "but we've been working her plenty in behind and teaching her to pick up and run home." Lush Lips ($5.24) showed she has learned her lessons well. With Flavien Prat in the irons, the filly was fifth of seven after the opening half, a little more than three lengths behind longshot Ninth Island, who had taken over through an honest-enough half in 47.96 seconds. Lush Lips had clear sailing as the field headed into the far turn, and was given her cue once straightened away. The ambitious Ninth Island still held a clear lead at the quarter pole, but the favorite swiftly reeled her in and opened up in the final stages. She finished the mile on turf still rated firm, despite a light shower falling during the race, in 1:35.98. After Princess Attitude, it was 1 1/4 lengths to second choice Vixen, who rallied to edge Ninth Island by a head for third. Favor to You, Something Stronger, and Love You Anyway rounded out the order of finish. Fixin to Bee was scratched, and has been entered in the $150,000 Wild Applause Stakes on Thursday, July 3 at Saratoga. The victory by Lush Lips further flatters divisional leader Nitrogen, who has won five consecutive races. Lush Lips was second to Nitrogen in both the Grade 3 Florida Oaks and the Edgewood; meanwhile, Vixen was second to Nitrogen in the Grade 2 Appalachian and third in the Edgewood. Nitrogen, who most recently won the off-the-turf Grade 3 Wonder Again at Saratoga, is slated to make her next start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Belmont Oaks on July 5, back on the turf. But she could shift to the dirt for a subsequent start. Walsh didn't express hesitation about taking Nitrogen on again if she comes back to turf down the line, but said a next target has not been decided for Lush Lips. "I really wanted to get a stakes win into her today," Walsh said. "That was very important for her, but now that we've got that under our belt, we can use our imagination." :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.