Love Handles Takes Americana Community Center Turf Test

Nov 09, 2008 Gary Yunt

(November 5, 2008) – Nancy Vanier and Cartwright Thoroughbreds’ Love Handles rallied from off the pace to score a head victory over Royal Leah in Wednesday’s $43,880 Americana Community Center Purse at Churchill Downs.

            Ridden by Robby Albarado, Love Handles covered the mile on a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:36.31 in posting her sixth career victory in 26 starts.

            Longshot Callie’s Joy led the field of 10 through the first six furlongs in 1:11.92 as Love Handles and Royal Leah lingered in midpack. Albarado moved Love Handles four wide entering the stretch, just to the outside of Royal Leah as the duo gained command from Cure for Sale at the sixteenth pole and raced as team to the wire.

            Trained by Brian Williamson, Love Handles returned mutuels of $9.20, $4.80 and $3.40. Royal Leah, the 5-2 favorite who was ridden by Julien Leparoux, returned $3.60 and $2.60 with Cure for Sale finishing another three-quarters of a length back in third under Miguel Mena and returning $6.20.

            Love Handles is a 5-year-old Illinois bred daughter of Sahm out of the Magloire mare Hip Huggers.  The $26,908 winner’s share boosted her career earnings to $259,901.