by Myra Lewyn

Genuine Devotion (Ire) shot to the early lead and held back the closing rush of Brownie Points to capture the $171,750 Locust Grove Handicap (G3) by a half-length on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Sent off as the favorite at 2.30-to-1 odds, Genuine Devotion covered one mile on firm turf in 1:35.76 to remain perfect in two starts this season while earning her first graded stakes victory for owner James Barry and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

The Locust Grove was the fourth consecutive triumph for the Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) filly, who stretched out to one mile for the first time. She capped her sophomore campaign with back-to-back wins at six furlongs at Belmont Park in an allowance race in September and the Xtra Heat Handicap in October. She began the season on May 17 at the Elmont, New York, track, winning the Upper Noosh Stakes at six furlongs on soft turf.

Genuine Devotion broke from the inside under Alan Garcia and held a one-length advantage through an opening quarter in :23.84. The four-year-old bay filly maintained the lead while closely pressed by multiple Grade 3 winner Bayou’s Lassie and stakes winner Tears I Cry through six furlongs in 1:11.36, while Grade 3 winner Brownie Points relaxed in midpack in the ten-horse field.

Genuine Devotion shook free to a 1½-length lead in upper stretch as Brownie Points swung out for the drive under Luis Quinonez and had enough stamina to repel a game rally by that foe.

Bred by Lynch Bages Ltd. and Elite Bloodstock, Genuine Devotion has won five of eight career starts. The $101,161 winner’s share of the Locust Grove boosted her lifetime bankroll to $275,725.

A half sister to Irish Group 2 winner Mastercraftsman, Genuine Devotion is out of the winning Black Tie Affair (Ire) mare Starlight Dreams.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times Today editor