Newmarket: Elusive Kate survives inquiry to win Falmouth Stakes

Elusive Kate won Friday’s Group 1 Falmouth Stakes for fillies and mares at Newmarket, England, a result that was not confirmed until a stewards’ inquiry reviewed whether the winner bothered 4-7 favorite Sky Lantern in the final quarter-mile.

Elusive Kate (3-1) set the pace under jockey William Buick, but began to drift to her left in the final furlong, forcing jockey Richard Hughes and Sky Lantern across the track. Buick even struck Sky Lantern twice with his whip.

After reviewing video and talking to the riders, the stewards did not change the order of finish, but did give Buick a three-day suspension from July 26 and 28-29 for careless riding.

Elusive Kate and Sky Lantern were separated by a neck at the finish, two lengths clear of defending champion Giofra. Purr Along was last of four in the small field.

Sky Lantern was favored on the basis of an outstanding May and June campaign that saw the filly win the English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The incident in the final furlong largely overshadowed Elusive Kate’s first Group 1 win since the Prix Rothschild at Deauville, France, last summer, a race she is likely to try this year.

The Falmouth, worth $256,340, was Elusive Kate’s sixth win in 13 starts. She has won five stakes, including the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac in France in 2011. A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Elusive Quality, Elusive Kate is owned by Teruya Yoshida and trained by John Gosden.