Meadow Breeze gutted out the win in the Matron (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

While Featherbed set splits of :22 3/5, :45 4/5 and 1:11 1/5, Meadow Breeze was a constant presence just to her outside. As the pair entered the stretch, Octave moved up along the inside to challenge, and the three ran nip and tuck all the way to the line. The clock registered a final time of 1:24 4/5 over the fast dirt, but it took a photo to separate the juvenile misses, showing Meadow Breeze a head in front of Featherbed and Octave, who hit the line at the exact same moment to dead-heat for the place.

"She ran well," Desormeaux said. "(Trainer) Carl (Deville) was perfect in the paddock. He said, 'You're going to enjoy the ride.' She is picture-perfect on the foot. I can't help but love her now. This filly out-gamed them the last quarter of a mile."

Sent off the 34-1 longest shot in the field, Meadow Breeze rewarded her few but faithful backers with $70.50, $15.60 and $7.50 payouts. Featherbed, off at 7-1, gave back $3.60 and $4.70 while filling out the the 5-1 exacta that paid $141 and the 5-1-3 trifecta that was worth $476. Octave, the 5-2 second choice in the field, paid $2.50 and $3.20, while making up the 5-3 exacta that gave back $100.50 and the 5-3-1 trifecta that returned $435.