Distorted Love Shows Way at Churchill

Arianne de Kwiatkowski’s Distorted Love rallied from last to draw even with favorite Bizzee Mizzee at the head of the stretch and kicked clear of that rival in the final 300 yards en route to a 5 ½-length victory in Thursday’s $50,825 feature at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Helen Pitts-Blasi and ridden by Miguel Mena, Distored Love clocked one-mile in 1:36.66. The field was reduced to four runners when the race, originally scheduled for the Matt Winn Turf Course, was transferred to the “sloppy” main track due to overnight and midday rainfall.

Distorted Love was sent to post as the 6-5 second choice and paid $4.60 and $2.20. There was no show wagering. Bizzee Mizzee, with Julien Leparoux in the saddle, paid $2.20. Champagne Jane, ridden by Marcelino Pedroza Jr., was another four lengths back in third. Simply Seattle, with Cory Orm aboard, faded to last after setting the early pace. Gaya, Exclusive Love, Sally Sally and Holidaysatthefarm were scratched.

A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Distorted Humor, Distorted Love banked $32,100 for the win and improved her record to 3-3-2 and $142,956 in 20 starts.

Racing continues Friday with an 11-race twilight program that kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET. There’s a five-day Pick 6 carryover of $39,187 on Races 6-11 that requires bettors to pick the winners of six consecutive races.

After Friday’s final race, there will be a post-race concert by indie-rockers Dawn Landes and the Hounds – the third of five shows in Churchill Downs’ new Paddock Concert Series on Fridays. The music of Eight Inch Elvis will entertain paddock patrons between races from 5-8 p.m. Also, there will be $2 Budweiser products, frozen specialty drinks and hot dogs from 6-8:15 p.m. for Friday Happy Hours presented by Budweiser Select. General admission will be $3 until 7 p.m. and $10 thereafter.