Wachtel: Lucille Ball 'might be the fastest filly I ever owned'

Adam Wachtel has owned many top fillies in his life, but he says there might be none faster than Lucille Ball.

On Friday, Lucille Ball returned from a 14-month layoff to win a first-level allowance race at Aqueduct by 10 1/4 lengths. She ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.27 and earned a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. When she debuted as a 2-year-old in November 2024, Lucille Ball won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race by 5 1/4 lengths, earning an 82 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She might be the fastest filly I ever owned,” Wachtel said. “She’s just a freak. She’s unbelievable.”

Wachtel has owned Grade 1-winning fillies such as Spiced Perfection, Sharla Rae, Daddysruby, Vequist and the Grade 2 winner Penny’s Reshoot.

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Trainer Chris Englehart explained that Lucille Ball’s layoff was precipitated by the filly having to undergo two knee surgeries. Wachtel said the plan was to bring Lucille Ball back to the races only if she was “110 percent.”

Lucille Ball is by Lord Nelson and is a half-sister to Doncho (by Uncle Mo), who set what is believed to be a world record for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf (59.75 seconds) at Ellis Park in August.

“It’s a heck of a family and she’s a big, good-looking filly,” said Wachtel, who owns Lucille Ball in partnership with Gary Barber and Leonard Schleifer’s Pantofel Stable.

Wachtel said he would like to point Lucille Ball to a race like the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Stakes at Laurel on Feb. 14. If she continues to do well, Wachtel said, a race like the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland in early April is a possibility.

“We’re only going to do what’s in the best interest of the filly,” Wachtel said.

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