Molly Morgan outruns favorites in Fleur de Lis
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Capitalizing on a rail-skimming ride from Corey Lanerie, Molly Morgan surged from last to take the lead at the head of the stretch in the Grade 2, $216,200 Fleur De Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs on Saturday night, and drew off to a four-length upset victory over Flashy American..
Early in the race it appeared things might not be going in the favor of the late-running Molly Morgan, as Ondine went to the lead with slow splits of 48.07 seconds for a half-mile and 1:12.74 for three-quarters in the 1 1/8-race mile. But when the leaders didn’t quicken, it left Molly Morgan hot on their heels.
Ondine and On Fire Baby, who chased the leader early, both came under a ride on the turn, and tiring, Ondine left open a hole on the fence for Molly Morgan to come inside. In doing so, she got the jump on the only other mare who finished respectably, Flashy American, who was hung wide in the three- to four-path.
The winner, a 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper owned by Bill Cubbedge and bred by him in a partnership, recorded her first stakes win in the Fleur De Lis. She raced 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.11, and paid $23.40.
The victory followed what had easily been her best prior race, a runner-up finish to On Fire Baby in the Grade 1 La Troienne on May 2.
Trainer Dale Romans credited Cubbedge for having the faith to try her in both the La Troienne and Fleur De Lis after she had previously struggled in stakes races.
“I just felt she would eventually come around and she did,” Romans said.
Lanerie, the leading rider at Churchill Downs, said her perfect trip may not have mattered given how she pulled so easily away from the opposition.
“In hindsight now it looks like she could have gone around twice and still beat them,” he said.
Except for Flashy American, the third choice in the wagering, the favorites disappointed. Fiftyshadesofhay, the second favorite at 2-1, ran third, beaten 6 1/2 lengths, and 6-5 favorite On Fire Baby tired to fourth, losing by 7 1/2 lengths.