by Jeff Apel

Garden District, a runner-up against males in her previous start, opened a head lead in early stretch and gamely earned a half-length win as the 11-to-10 favorite in the $112,500 Debutante Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The six-furlong race was the first graded stakes race of the year for two-year-old fillies.

Cameron Crazies set the pace and led Garden District by a half-length through a half-mile in :45.14. Garden District gained command on the turn under Robby Albarado, turned back strong bids from runner-up Rachel Alexandra and third-place finisher Simplify, and won in 1:11.07 on a track rated as fast.

Rachel Alexandra edged Simplify by a head for third.

Todd Pletcher trains Garden District for owner Twin Creeks Racing Stable.

“She was one of the first two-year-olds that we got in, and she’s been doing everything right since day one,” Pletcher said

The Dixie Union filly entered off a runner-up finish against males in the Kentucky Stakes (G3) on May 1 at Churchill.

Garden District posted a three-length debut win in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race on April 10 at Keeneland Race Course.

“I thought her maiden race at Keeneland was impressive,” Pletcher said. “I thought it was very professional for a first-time starter. And she held her own pretty good against the boys in the Kentucky. We were looking forward to running her back against fillies and we’ve been pointing her to this for a while, so it was nice to see her show up and run the way she’s capable of.”

Garden District increased her earnings to $130,882 with two wins in three starts. Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Garden District is out of Grade 3-placed winner Brisquette, by Unbridled’s Song.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor