Sunland: Melody Lady controls El Paso Times Handicap

Melody Lady became the first stakes winner for her multiple Grade 1-winning dam, Lady Tak, when she dominated the $50,000 El Paso Times Handicap for 3-year-old fillies by 6 1/4 lengths at Sunland Park on Saturday. Fraudulentfootnote finished second, 4 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Flamboyance.

Melody Lady ($5.40) was always prominent in the El Paso Times, through fractions of 22.71 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.98 for the half-mile. She went on to cover the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.76.

Casey Lambert was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Melody Lady races for Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Edward McGhee. She became Lady Tak’s first winner from two foals to race on Dec. 13, when she took a maiden special weight at Fair Grounds. Melody Lady was making her stakes debut in the El Paso Times, and with the win she improved her record to 2 for 3.

Lady Tak earned more than $1 million on the track, and was trained by Asmussen. Melody Lady is by the multiple Grade 1 winner Unbridled’s Song.