Lotsandlotsofcandy Impresses in Maiden Victory

Jun 09, 2024 Kevin Kerstein

Jay Em Ess Stable’s 3-year-old homebred Lotsandlotsofcandy was nothing short of brilliant Saturday when she dominated a six-furlong maiden special weight contest at Churchill Downs by an eye-catching seven lengths, earning a stout 96 Brisnet Speed Rating.

Trained by Paul McGee, Lotsandlotsofcandy set torrid early quarter-mile fractions of :20.96 and :44.56 over her four rivals while remaining comfortably in control by jockey Jareth Loveberry. Approaching the wire, Loveberry took a hold of the daughter of Twirling Candy while cruising six furlongs in 1:09.02.

“We’ve thought she was talented all along,” McGee said. “She debuted at Keeneland and we were a little puzzled by her poor effort that day but then she got sick the next day. She bounced right back and it didn’t totally surprise me seeing that sort of effort on Saturday because we’ve seen how talented she was in her training.”

Lotsandlotsofcandy is a second-generation homebred by Samantha Siegal’s Jay Em Ess Stable. Lotsandlotsofcandy is the half-brother to Extra Hope who was a stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed in California.

“I’ve had horses for Sam and her family probably since the late 1980s,” McGee said. “The ownership name represents her family. Her mother, Jan, unfortunately passed away a little more than 20 years ago and her father, Mace, passed away in 2011. So, Sam is the principal owner now and we’ve been friends for a number of years. Sam is an incredible client and a great person.”

For McGee, Lotsandlotsofcandy was his second winner this week at Churchill Downs. On Thursday, the veteran trainer won a $50,000 maiden claiming event with Carl Hurst and William “Buff” Bradley’s homebred First Player.

SCYLLA REMAINS BASED AT CHURCHILL DOWNS, POSSIBLE FOR FASIG-TIPTON FLEUR DE LIS – Juddmonte’s dominant Shawnee Stakes (Grade III) winner Scylla remains based at trainer Bill Mott’s Churchill Downs base and is possible to run in the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (Grade II) on June 29, according to the Hall of Fame conditioner.

Scylla, a regally-bred daughter of Tapit, cruised to a 3 ¼-length victory one week ago in the Shawnee, the local prep for the Fleur de Lis. The 4-year-old homebred has been based at Churchill Downs since mid-April under the watchful eye of Mott’s local assistant Kenny McCarthy.

Nominations for the Fleur de Lis along with the $1 million Stephen Foster (GI) on June 29 close Wednesday.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Jose Ortiz began Sunday’s card one win away from 3,000 career victories in the U.S. Ortiz had mounts in seven races. … Sunday’s nine-race card at Churchill Downs featured the $400,000 Matt Winn (GIII) and $175,000 Leslie’s Lady Overnight Stakes. The 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot had a $161,116 carryover that spanned Races 4-9. … Following dark days Monday and Tuesday, live racing returns to Churchill Downs on Wednesday for a nine-race card and first post of 12:45 p.m. Saturday is the last “Downs After Dark” event of the Spring Meet featuring the theme “Yacht Rock.” For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.