JUANITA WINS THE LA TROIENNE STAKES!

The first stakes race of the Kentucky Oaks day card at Churchill Downs ended in a shocking upset, with 16-1 shot Juanita pulling away from heavily favored Plum Pretty to score a two-length upset in the La Troienne Stakes (gr. II).

Ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez, Juanita got off to an alert start and settled into the second position early on, just behind pace-setting Plum Pretty. In third along the inside was Afleeting Lady, with Love Theway Youare and Absintheminded right alongside. St. John's River and Maristar were the early trailers.

Through fractions of :24.39, :48.36, and 1:11.74, Juanita and Plum Pretty continued to lead the way, with no one else really moving up to challenge. Around the far turn, both jockeys asked their mounts for run, and although I'm sure the vast majority of those watching the race expected Plum Pretty to kick away, it was Juanita who turned for home with the lead and drew off. St. John's River coming flying late to finish second, but was never a threat to the winner, who stopped the clock for a mile and a sixteenth in 1:42.82.
Plum Pretty finished third, followed by Absinthe Minded, Afleeting Lady, Maristar, and Love Theway Youare. The winner is trained by Mike Maker and owned by William and Graydon Patterson. The victory was the second in a graded stakes race for the former claimer, who also won the Indiana Oaks (gr. II) last fall.
(Note: Be sure to check out our Kentucky Derby Handicapping Contest, in which one lucky handicapper will win a free copy of "The 10 Best Kentucky Derbies," published by Eclipse Press. Read the details here!)

-Keelerman

La Troinne Stakes Entries and Post Positions

Here are the entries and post positions for the $300,000 La Troinne Stakes (gr. II0, to be held on Friday at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/16th miles race for fillies and mares has been won in recent years by such talented horses as Blind Luck (2010 Kentucky Oaks winner) and Unrivaled Belle (2010 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic winner). This year's renewal has drawn a small but highly talented field of seven, led by the top two finishers in last year's Kentucky Oaks -- Plum Pretty and St. John's River.

1 Afleeting Lady
2 St. John's River
3 Love Theway Youare
4 Plum Pretty
5 Juanita
6 Absinthe Minded
7 Maristar

(Note: Be sure to check out our Kentucky Derby Handicapping Contest, in which one lucky handicapper will win a free copy of "The 10 Best Kentucky Derbies," published by Eclipse Press. Read the details here!)

-Keelerman

BLIND LUCK WINS THE LA TROIENNE!

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.