Victory Lap benefits from hot pace

Victory Lap rallied from far off a hot pace to collar Dash of Humor in deep stretch and post a 28-1 upset in the $100,000 Ellis Park Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday in Henderson, Ky.

Victory Lap, ridden by Orlando Mojica, trailed the other 11 fillies and mares in the early stages of the 1 1/16-mile turf race, but by the far turn she was making up steady ground on the tiring front-runners. Meanwhile, Dash of Humor was effortlessly cruising past front-running Baena on the front end, but after opening daylight in midstretch, she was no match for the late surge of Victory Lap.

Victory Lap returned $59.80 as the second longest shot in the field after finishing in a swift 1:39.61 over a firm course. Dash of Humor finished second, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner and another 1 3/4 lengths before Praia Da Pipa. Flying Glitter, the lukewarm 7-2 choice, contested early fractions of 23.14, 45.57, and 1:08.98 with Baena before wilting to finish last.

Victory Lap, a 4-year-old Touch Gold filly owned by Forging Oaks Farm LLC and based at Churchill Downs with trainer David Carroll, now has won 6 of 20 career starts and $250,811.