Sky Treasure by a nose in Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Thirty minutes after the Dueling Grounds Derby was decided by inches, the $300,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint followed suit with another stirring photo finish. This time, the race was decided by a nose, with Sky Treasure rallying from last to catch a game Seeking Treasure.

Things began inauspiciously for Sky Treasure, who broke last in the field of 12, but being a late-running filly, the slow start might not have hampered her as much as it would a front-runner. Still, jockey Julien Leparoux said he was somewhat worried, wanting to lay a little closer with her than usual given that the race was only 6 1/2 furlongs, shorter than the distances she normally runs.

He said he began to feel better as the race proceeded down the backstretch. “By the half-mile pole, she started to get into the bridle and won very nice,” he said.

Seeking Treasure battled bravely in defeat, and the finish proved so close that Leparoux said he was uncertain that his filly had come out on top.

Sky Treasure ($10.60) gave trainer Mark Casse his third win on Monday’s Kentucky Downs card and owner John Oxley his second win of the day at the track. A 5-year-old daughter of Sky Mesa, she raced 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:19.83 on a “good” turf course.

Theatre Star closed down the outside in the stretch to be third, a half-length behind the top pair.

Disappointing as the heavy favorite was Shrinking Violet, who raced in traffic and never threatened in running ninth.