Somali Lemonade Ready for Appalachian

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One of the more visually impressive victories of the 2011 Keeneland Fall Meet was the one turned in by Somali Lemonade in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3) at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Last early in the field of 12 and ninth at the head of the stretch, Somali Lemonade swept past the field for a 1 ¾-length victory that earned her a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G2).
 
On Thursday, Somali Lemonade returns to the races for the first time since finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs when she goes postward in the 24th running of the $100,000 Appalachian (G3) at a mile on the turf.
 
“We gave her some time off after the Breeders’ Cup and she is doing well,” said Michael Matz, who trains Somali Lemonade for Caroline Forgason. “She is ready to run.”

Alex Solis, who has partnered Somali Lemonade in all three of her starts, has the call Thursday on the filly who will break from post position four in the nine-horse field.
Thursday’s post position figures to be a plus over the Breeders’ Cup, when Somali Lemonade drew the 14 hole.
 
“It is what it is and the Breeders’ Cup was just one of those things,” Matz said. “The pace was so slow, but she put in her run and made up ground.”

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