Winchell Thoroughbred LLC’s SUMMERLY (Summer Squall) earned her first stakes win
in facile fashion on Saturday at Fair Grounds, taking the lead in the $150,000
Silverbulletday S. (G3) on the far turn and drawing off through the stretch for
a 3 1/4-length score. The three-year-old filly didn’t maintain the straightest
path down the lane, but she was much the best under Donnie Meche and returned
$5, $3.40 and $2.60 to her supporters as the 3-2 favorite. The Steve Asmussen
charge finished 8 1/2 furlongs over the fast track in 1:43 3/5.
Cee’s Irish (Cee’s Tizzy) led the way early through fractions of :23 3/5 and
:47 2/5, but Summerly was closely tracking her in second and cruised to the lead
when asked by Meche. Eyes on Eddy (Touch Gold) closed for the pace on the
outside at 14-1 odds and gave back $10.20 and $4.60 while capping a $53.80
exacta. Enduring Will (Arch), the 2-1 second favorite, rallied into better
position in upper stretch but lacked the needed finish, coming in another 1 1/4
lengths back in third and paying $2.60. The trifecta totaled $174.80, and the
8-5-1-2 superfecta, with The Beter Man Can (Lord Avie) in fourth, was good for
$567.80.
Cee’s Irish came next and was followed by Elsie Lucille (Lord Avie), Glorious
Prospect (Lycius), Private Gift (Unbridled) and Steal the Show (Cat Thief).
Purchased for $410,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Summerly was
bred in Kentucky by Thomas Van Meter & Michael Lowenbaum and is out of the
multiple Grade 3-placed Here I Go (Mr. Prospector), whose first foal, Let ’em Go
(Red Ransom), was stakes-placed. Summerly is the second foal from the
nine-year-old mare, who also has an unnamed juvenile filly by Menifee and
yearling colt by Touch Gold.
Summerly, who has now earned $161,035 from a 5-3-0-1, established
herself as a top contender for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Saturday’s win.