Miss Yearwood Rallies to Win $223,678 Keertana

Miss Yearwood stopped the teletimer in a stakes record 2:27.45 for 1 ½ miles over “firm” turf under Chris Landeros, who rode the winner for his father-in-law and trainer Ian Wilkes and owner/breeder Roger Keith Long. She eclipsed the previous standard of 2:28.13 set by Al’s Gal in 2016.

Miss Yearwood had one horse beat in the field of 12 fillies and mares as Exit Soul dictated the early pace of :23.40, :48.38 and 1:13.57. With five furlongs left to run, Sinfiltre put pressure on Exit Soul as they raced one mile in in 1:38.97 and approached the final turn. Miss Yearwood began to quickly pass horses around the last bend and soon shot to the front with a sweeping six-wide move at the head of the stretch. She collared Lovely Princess with a furlong to run en route to her first stakes triumph.

“The pace up front looked pretty honest,” Landeros said. “This horse just likes to make one run so I wanted to make sure to keep her in the clear and be in a good spot when we turned for home. She came with a huge run and really exploded late down the lane.”

The win was worth $130,320 and improved Miss Yearwood’s career earnings to $438,780 with a record of 4-2-2 in 12 starts.

“Chris suits this filly well and she has one style to come from and that’s from the back,” Wilkes said. “Most likely we’ll end up at Saratoga with her. How we get there I’m not sure yet. She’s shown a really sharp turn of foot in her last two efforts and we’re very proud of her.”

Miss Yearwood returned $5.98, $4.14 and $2.84 as the 9-5 favorite. Lovely Princess, at 6-1 under Brian Hernandez Jr., paid $6.44 and $4.14. Sparkle Blue, ridden by Vincent Cheminaud at odds of 7-2, was another 2 ½ lengths back in third and paid $3.36.

Talbeyah (IRE) was another 2 ¼ lengths back in fourth and was followed by Under One Sky, Viburnum, Quality Star, Lady Arsinoe, I’m So Sorry, Exit Soul, Implosion and Sinfiltre.

Miss Yearwood, a 4-year-old daughter of Will Take Charge out of the Awesome Again mare Satisfaction, was bred in Kentucky by her owner.

Racing at Churchill Downs continues Sunday with a nine-race card that begins at 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern).

Chris Landeros (jockey, Miss Yearwood, winner) – “The pace up front looked pretty honest. This horse just likes to make one run so I wanted to make sure to keep her in the clear and be in a good spot when we turned for home. She came with a huge run and really exploded late down the lane.”

Ian Wilkes (trainer, Miss Yearwood, winner) – “Chris suits this filly well and she has one style to come from and that’s from the back. Most likely we’ll end up at Saratoga with her. How we get there I’m not sure yet. She’s shown a really sharp turn of foot in her last two efforts and we’re very proud of her.”