Returning to the sight of her Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) victory one year ago, 2010 Champion three-year-old filly Blind Luck rallied furiously in the homestretch to win the La Troienne Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs by a head.
Ridden by Garrett Gomez, the filly entered the race on a five-race losing streak, having not won a race since the Alabama Stakes last August. Despite this, she was sent off as the 7-5 favorite over 2010 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic winner Unrivaled Belle.
Blind Luck lived up to everyone's expectations, turning in a truly remarkable performance. She stumbled badly at the start, nearly going to her knees, and was then squeezed by the horses on her immediate inside and outside. She dropped back to last and one would not have blamed her if she had failed to fire at all.
However, fire she did. She began to inch up on the far turn, but entering the homestretch she still had many lengths to make up. Asbinthe Minded, who had led the field through fractions of :24 1/5 and :48 2/5, was still looking strong.
But Blind Luck kept coming, her every stride bringing her closer to the lead. Unrivaled Belle was also advancing, taking the lead in deep stretch.
It came down to the two favorites. In the shadow of the wire, Unrivaled Belle held the lead. But Blind Luck closed furiously in the final yards to get up just in time, stopping the clock in 1:42.93.
All Due Respect finished third, followed by Absintheminded.
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