Red Mile: Mommamia Volo rallies to Kentucky Filly Futurity crown

Mommamia Volo and driver Todd McCarthy followed a dull flow of cover to the final turn, but once in the homestretch the daughter of Tactical Landing hit another gear and overpowered the field to capture Sunday's $320,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity in impressive fashion, stopping the clock in 1:51 3/5 at The Red Mile.

It was the 58th edition of the Filly Futurity, and there was plenty of action as 11 fillies went to post. Blonde Bombshell blasted to the front for David Miller at the outset as Walner Payton and Dexter Dunn left between horses. Walner Payton advance to the front before the soft 28 1/5 opening quarter and then parked 9-5 second choice Special Way briefly before releasing that one before three-eighths of the mile had been completed.

Tim Tetrick, behind Special Way, was able to coast to a slow half of 56 3/5 as the outer tier was waiting patiently to develop, hampering closers like Mambacita and Bond. Secret Volo and Mattias Melander eventually did bite the bullet and pushed up without cover past the half, affording cover to the race winner with Mambacita, Heaven Hanover and Bond tracking behind a very slow flow.

Special Way was able to keep a clear advantage with the outer tier stalling through three-quarters in 1:24 3/5, and at that point pocket-sitter Walner Payton made a bit to challenge the pace-setter. McCarthy and Mommamia Volo rallied wide late on the final turn, and the filly just exploded to have the field within her reach by mid-stretch. There was no holding back Mommamia Volo late as she cruised past the leaders with a 26 1/5 final quarter to win her third straight stakes event, all at The Red Mile.

"Carter (Pinske) had the filly so spot on," said McCarthy of Mommamia Volo's conditioner. "I was kind of worried early about the outer flow, but we found a helmet and it worked out great."

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Owned and bred by Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Jorgen Jahre Jr., Mommamia Volo was a winner for the fourth time in 10 starts this year, and, as the public choice, returned $5.32 with the victory. Walner Payton finished second with Blonde Bombshell, Special Way and Bond completing the top five.

"She battled some sickness and soreness earlier this year," said Pinske who suggested that the Breeders Crown would be the next stop for the Filly Futurity champion.

In the $25,000 consolation Bravo Angel S and driver Tony Hall followed a perfect second-over trip and drew off confidently in a 1:55 mile for the win. A daughter of Readly Express, Bravo Angel S was a winner for the fourth time in 11 starts as a sophomore for trainer Jonas Czernyson and owner Consus Racing Stable Inc.

Heart On Fire went first-up and finished second, with Warrawee Yes along for the third spot.