NEWS
Just Louise battles back to prevail in Debutante
Posted: Saturday, June 26, 2010 7:56 PM
JUST LOUISE (#6) HOLDS ON TO WIN DEBUTANTE STAKES (G3)
Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
For video of the Debutante Stakes, click here.
by Myra Lewyn
After losing her lead coming off the turn, Just Louise battled third-place finisher and 7-to-10 favorite Salty Strike through the long stretch at Churchill Downs on Saturday and repelled fast-finishing runner-up Tristanme for a neck win the $108,800 Debutante Stakes (G3) for two-year-old fillies.
Entering off an impressive debut win by 3¼ lengths going five furlongs at Churchill on May 28 for trainer Dale Romans, Just Louise comfortably tracked just behind a sizzling opening quarter, then had just enough left in the tank to prevail under Robby Albarado in a thrilling finish. The Five Star Day filly covered six furlongs in 1:11.85 as the 9-to-5 second wagering choice on a track rated as fast. She is perfect in two career starts for owner Eldon Farm Equine.
Just Louise is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Sara Louise, a former runner for Eldon Farm and Romans who did not make her debut until August of her two-year-old campaign in 2008. Sara Louise, by Malibu Moon, won the Pocahontas Stakes (G3) in her third career start, delivering a 3¾-length victory over Rachel Alexandra, who turned the tables on her in the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) in her subsequent start. Sara Louise later was sold to Godolphin Racing and capped her sophomore season last year with a win in the Top Flight Handicap (G2) in November at Aqueduct. She currently is listed among their horses in training.
Just Louise raced in third and Tristanme stalked from fourth as Big Sweets and Salty Strike vied for command while blazing the opening quarter in :21.14. Just Louise grabbed control from Big Sweets while three wide midway on the far turn as Salty Strike dropped back to third.
Just Louise led into the stretch after a half-mile in :44.73, but Salty Strike was full of run on the inside and seized a half-length lead near the eighth pole. She was in control in the final sixteenth, but Just Louise battled back and the two matched strides with the finish line approaching. Tristanme, who was about 5½ lengths back in third in early stretch, responded with an electric turn of foot on Shaun Bridgmohan’s cue and closed rapidly on the outside, but Just Louise found a little more in reserve to turn back the 25.40-to-1 longshot.
Romans said he sees similarities between Sara Louise and Just Louise, who will be pointed to a race at Saratoga Race Course this summer.
“She’s a very nice filly and she’s just like [Sara Louise],” Romans said of Just Louise, who is out of the Grade 3-placed winning Mt. Livermore mare Kings Lynn. “This race is something for her to improve off of. She dug in game. I thought at the top of the lane it would open up, but you know Calvin [Borel aboard Salty Strike] had a lot of horse, and it was a dogfight to the end.”
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
