Farrell looks to 'take them all the way' in Fleur De Lis Handicap
Several fillies and mares in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs like to show early speed, but trainer Wayne Catalano believes Farrell could be the quickest of them all.
“I just don’t think they have the same speed that Farrell does," Catalano said. "We’ll be on the lead and hopefully can take them all the way from start to finish.”
Farrell, a 4-year-old filly by Malibu Moon, led nearly every step of the way in the La Troienne (GI) on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs but tired late to finish second.
Another filly who could add to the early pace setup is recent allowance winner Awestruck, who rallied from just off the pace to cruise to a 6 ¼-length win on May 10 at Churchill Downs.
“I think we’ll probably have to track from just off of the pace,” trainer Rusty Arnold II’s assistant Jack Bohannan said. “We know Wayne’s horse will probably be on the early lead and one or two others like to show speed as well.”
For the fourth year in a row, the Fleur de Lis is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” stakes event, which means the winner will be guaranteed a berth in the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) on Nov. 3.
The Fleur de Lis – which means “Flower of the Lily” and honors the French symbol that is incorporated into the city of Louisville’s Flag – will be run as Race 7 at 9:09 p.m. (all times Eastern). It will be televised live on NBCSN from 8:30-10 p.m.
The Fleur de Lis field from the rail out: Fuhriously Kissed (ridden by C.J. McMahon, trained by Tony Quartarolo, 115 pounds, 10-1 morning line odds); Mopotism (Mario Gutierrez, Doug O’Neill, 118, 8-1); Blue Prize (ARG) (Jose Ortiz, Ignacio Correas IV, 118, 7-2); Streamline (Chris Landeros, Brian Williamson, 116, 15-1); Song of Spring (Ricardo Santana Jr., Neil Howard, 118, 6-1); Awestruck (Irad Ortiz Jr., Rusty Arnold II, 115, 8-1); Valadorna (Brian Hernandez Jr., Mark Casse, 118, 4-1); Apologynotaccepted (Julien Leparoux, Brendan Walsh, 117, 12-1); and Farrell (Channing Hill, Catalano, 119, 3-1).