Keertana showed just how tough she is when she defeated males in the grade III Louisville Handicap at a mile and a half this afternoon at Churchill Downs.
Under Jose Lezcano, Keertana secured a perfect trip while fourth in the early going, just in behind the leaders. Guys Reward was setting a slow pace up front, escaping with a :25 second opening quarter, a :51-and-change half-mile, and a turtle-like 1:19-and-change for the opening three-quarters of a mile. He was being tracked on the inside by Free Fighter, with El Crespo sitting third. Keertana was in between horses, with Musketier racing three-wide in fifth.
As the field rounded the final of three turns, Guys Reward was still clinging to the lead and was beginning to pick up speed. Suddenly, Keertana shot through along the inside and confronted him for the lead. Entering the homestretch, the two were head-to-head for the lead, neither giving an inch.
Throughout the stretch run, the two horses battled, the colt on the outside, the mare on the rail. Despite having next to no racing room, Keertana gamely challenged for the lead.
Then, on the outside, Bearpath began to fly home. With ground devouring strides he drew closer to the fleeting pair up front, and appeared to be on his way to victory.
But then the wire approached. The trio hit the wire as one, and it was impossible to tell who had won.
After several minutes of anticipation, the results of the photo finish were revealed. Keertana had courageously stuck her nose in front of Bearpath to win the race by the shortest of noses. Guys Reward finished third, just nosed out in what was one of the strongest performances of his career -- if not the strongest.
It was truly an amazing race.
-Keelerman
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