Praia scores 10-1 upset in Keertana

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Saving ground for much of the race under jockey Chris Landeros, Praia was angled out to take command in the stretch and gamely withstood a rally from Gulsary by a head to win the $64,549 Keertana Stakes Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Dismissed at over 10-1 odds following a sixth-place finish in an allowance April 30 at Churchill, Praia returned to top form in the Keertana, beating a deep and quality-laden group. A 4-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor trained by Ken McPeek and owned and bred by Haras Old Friends, she raced 1 3/8 miles on a firm turf course in 2:16.92 and paid $23.

Runner-up Gulsary followed Praia leaving the final turn and dived to her inside in the stretch. She finished three-quarters of a length in front of third-place Topic, who rallied from last.

Favored White Rose never threatened in finishing sixth.