Lovell Celebrates First Churchill Downs Stakes Victory with Longshot Change of Control

May 12, 2019 Kevin Kerstein,Churchill Downs Communications

Trainer Michelle Lovell remained jubilant Sunday morning at Churchill Downs following her first stakes victory beneath the Twin Spires Saturday with 35-1 longshot Change of Control in the inaugural running of the $100,000 Mamzelle Overnight Stakes.

“It was such a thrilling race and such a relief to finally get this filly on turf,” Lovell said. “We’ve tried and tried to get her to run on the grass but the rain kept washing off the races. She really proved herself Saturday and it was such a fun way to get our first stakes victory in our backyard at Churchill Downs.”

Lovell, a former jockey, has been based at Churchill Downs since 2011 and one of six female trainers stabled at Churchill Downs. The others are Chelsey Coady, Vickie Foley, Monnie Goetz, Genevieve Londono and Helen Pitts.

“In an industry dominated by males, it goes to show women are just as capable of doing the job,” Lovell said.

Lovell is a native of West Palm Beach, Fla. and became a jockey in 1988. Following an eight-year stint in the saddle, Lovell began training horses in 2003 in Texas and Louisiana before shifting her stable to Kentucky.

“I still get the luxury of riding everyday getting aboard my horse (stable pony) Elwood,” Lovell said. “I enjoyed my time riding races but I also love training and seeing horses develop.”