Lazy Daisy blooms in Churchill Downs' Pocahontas Stakes

Lazy Daisy had one horse to her inside in the stretch run of Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes — but in reality, there were two rivals to beat.

His Glory re-rallied, no doubt aided by a golden rail at Churchill Downs that nearly shuttled the 40-1 shot into the winner’s circle. But a game Lazy Daisy, who made the cross-country trip for this event representing Doug O’Neill's barn, proved game enough to eke out a victory.

Winning the Pocahontas granted a “Win and You’re In” spot to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies for the daughter of Paynter as well as placed her atop the 2020 Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with points paying out on a 10-4-2-1 basis to the Top 4 finishers. This same race, by the way, produced the eventual Oaks winner Serengeti Empress a year ago.

Behind Lazy Daisy and His Glory were third-place Portrait, the 6-5 favorite who tired after a wide trip, and Blood Curdling in fourth.

Abel Cedilla rode the winner to a final time of 1:44.89 for 1 1/16 miles after Lazy Daisy set the fractions, too, going in 23.99, 47.90 and then 1:12.47 for 3/4 of a mile. Most of the way, she was a path off the rail with His Glory riding the rail.

The bargain $39,000 purchase made her third start Saturday after breaking her maiden Aug. 3 at Del Mar and then running fourth in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) on Aug. 31.

A 7-1 shot, Lazy Daisy returned $16.40 to win. A partnership of ERJ Racing (professional hockey player Erik Johnson), Great Friends Stable and Tom Mansor campaign the filly.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runs in Lazy Daisy's backyard, at Santa Anita Park, on Nov. 1.