Stellify romps in Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon repeat

One year ago, Stellify wired her stakes debut in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon to announce herself as a player in the division. In Sunday’s $1.395 million renewal, the Justify mare regained her winning groove with an even more emphatic front-running display at Kentucky Downs.

Trained by Brad Cox for Elements Racing, George Messina, and Michael Lee, Stellify had raced only twice since last summer’s breakout performance. In neither was she able to use her high cruising speed or get into her preferred rhythm in front. 

Stellify’s attempt at last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) was effectively over with a troubled start, and she never factored in seventh at Del Mar. Stellify surfaced in the Aug. 1 Beverly D. (G2) at Colonial Downs, where she again got behind early. But she picked up late for fourth, signaling that the competitive drive was still there. 

Back at Kentucky Downs for her title defense, Stellify enjoyed her ideal pace-controlling trip with new rider Flavien Prat. The 0.59-1 favorite was hustled to establish herself through an opening quarter in :25.10, and Prat nursed her along in fractions of :48.80, 1:12.65, and 1:37.05 on the firm course.

The chasing pack closed in entering the stretch, but Stellify had not yet been asked for her full effort. When Prat turned her loose, she bounded 5 1/2 lengths clear.

Golden Sunshine was best of the rest by a half-length from the rallying 41-1 shot Hey Jessie. Next came Way to Be Marie, Dona Clota, Public Assembly, Night of Rose, Venencia, and Pin Up Betty. 

Stellify covered 1 5/16 miles in 2:09.54 to extend her local mark to 3-for-3, including an allowance score last season. Her overall resume reads 9-5-1-1, $2,373,704.

Bred by WinStar Farm in the Bluegrass, Stellify is out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Savvy Star, who is a half-sister to Grade 1-winning millionaire and dual classic-placed Bluegrass Cat. This is the black-type rich family of 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) victor Super Saver. 

Prat swept both stakes on his banner six-win day. His mount in the $355,000 One Dreamer S., the Richard Mandella-trained May Day Ready, was left with only one opponent to beat, Miwa, following a cascade of scratches. For Love and Honor was listed as a stakes scratch, while Hang the Moon, Bourbon Memory, and Cheetah Lady were all withdrawn on advice of the regulatory veterinarian.

Miwa tried to dictate through a fast tempo in :23.53, :45.79, and 1:09.33, but she could not sustain it down the lane. May Day Ready rolled past her to a 4 1/2-length decision, clocking 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.81.

Campaigned by KatieRich Stables, May Day Ready improved her scorecard to 14-5-2-2, $1,644,275. The daughter of Tapit and Nemoralia earned her first stakes win here in the 2024 Juvenile Fillies, followed by the Jessamine (G2) at Keeneland and last year’s Lake Placid (G2) at Saratoga.

May Day Ready was notably runner-up to European star Lake Victoria in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Her other stakes placings include the off-the-turf Wonder Again (G3) along with this term’s Royal Heroine (G3) and the July 25 Osunitas S.