Remember Daisy holds off Eskenformore in Tom Benson Memorial

Remember Daisy got a perfect trip under Mitchell Murrill and just withstood a late inside run from runner-up Eskenformore to win the $50,000 Tom Benson Memorial Stakes on Thursday, opening day at Fair Grounds.

Bermuda Star, the 5-2 favorite, managed a decent run from a wide draw, but while good enough to get third she wasn't close to the top two at the end.

Remember Daisy is owned by her breeders, Al and Bill Ulwelling, and trained by Gary Scherer. The 4-year-old filly is a Louisiana-bred daughter of Misremembered and Very Speightstown, by Speightstown - and she's pretty good.

This was her fourth win from seven starts, and Remember Daisy seems equally competent on grass and dirt. Unraced between May and October, Remember Daisy scored an easy comeback run in a Delta Downs allowance race last out before tallying Thursday in this one-mile grass race for older Louisiana-bred fillies and mares. Murrill tucked into the pocket right behind the speed, came out to about the No. 3 path to make a run at the quarter-pole. After Remember Daisy went clear she had to hold off a sustained bid from longshot Eskenformore and won by a head.

Remember Daisy ran one mile over firm going in 1:37.68 and paid $10.60 to win.