Lull keeps Happy Mesa at bay in Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint

The 3-year-old filly Lull took command in the stretch and kept late-running 20-1 shot Happy Mesa at bay for a two-length victory against older fillies and mares in the $350,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint. The daughter of the popular Claiborne Farm stallion War Front covered 6 1/2 miles in 1:17.22 and paid $8 to win as the co-favorite with third-place Morticia.

It was Lull’s first victory in seventh starts since taking Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies last year, though she’s had three seconds in stakes and was a good fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

“I think War Fronts like to hear their feet rattle, and this turf probably suits her really well,” said Dell Hancock of Claiborne Farm, which bred and races Lull with Adele Dilschneider. Referring to the presence of the Breeders’ Cup president at the track, she added, “I asked Craig Fravel when they’re going to run the Breeders’ Cup here.”

Winning jockey Brian Hernandez also rode Lull last year at Kentucky Downs. 

“Horses like her who are athletic, they tend to like this place,” he said. “Makes my job a lot easier. I can stay out of her way and let her do her thing. Her trip worked out perfect today, like I kind of scripted on paper.” 

Said Rudy Nerbonne, assistant to winning trainer Christophe Clement: “She likes the course, she likes the distance, too — 6 1/2 furlongs. Today she relaxed perfect, and she made good run. Congratulations to Claiborne Farm and everybody.”

Claiborne president Walker Hancock said it’s up to Clement where the filly runs next, but said it could be at Keeneland or Belmont Park.

“We got her stakes win this year now, so maybe we’ll get a little more aggressive and see if we can shoot for something big,” he said. “We’ll talk to Christophe about it, Ms. (Adele) Dilschneider and everybody else.”

Happy Mesa (20-1 odds) closed well to be second under Tyler Gaffalione, nipping Morticia, who took the lead at the eighth pole.

“She ran great. Second best,” said trainer Mike Maker. “On the turn I thought, ‘Boy, if she gets out, she’s going to be right there.’ And she got in the clear. Obviously the other horse was loaded for bear.”

Fair Point, Corby, 2016 winner Mississippi Delta, Miss Gossip, Sea Cloud, Scatter Gun and Marquee Miss completed the field of 10.