Victoria's Wildcat Takes Eight Belles

Kent Desormeaux won his second straight stakes race at Churchill Downs on Friday when he guided Victoria's Wildcat to a going away tally in the seven furlong Eight Belles (G3).

There was pace in the paper race and Joel Rosario was intent on the lead aboard California invader Home Sweet Aspen. She took the field through lively splits of :22.02, :44.57, and 1:09.84.

The closers were bearing down in the lane but Home Sweet Aspen was stubborn. Victoria's Wildcat had too much momentum and coasted down the middle to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:23.03. She paid $15.20 to win for conditioner Bob Hess Jr.

Home Sweet Aspen ran too good to lose and held the place by a nose over Honey Chile. Algelican Zapata rounded out the superfecta at 50-1 and was follwed by Holiday Flare, Pomeroys Pistol, Formal Plan, Arienza, Dr. Diamonds Prize, and Mysterious Chimes.