Appalachian S.

Papilio (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) was her own worst enemy when snatching defeat from jaws of victory in the GIII Herecomesthebride S. in her U.S. debut Mar. 4, and she was anything but entirely focused in the dying strides of Saturday's GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland. But she overcame wayward ways to prevail over Cairo Consort (Cairo Prince) in a driving finish in Lexington. Allowed to find her feet near the back of the field as Heavenly Sunday (Candy Ride {Arg}) outfooted Well Into (Into Mischief) and made play up front,...

Gainesway homebred Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) looks to take her record to three-for-three in Saturday's GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland. A good-looking debut winner going two turns on the grass at Gulfstream Feb. 2, the $220,000 KEESEP buy wired the GIII Herecomesthebride S. in Hallandale Mar. 5, garnering a 90 Beyer Speed Figure. Chad Brown can never be ignored in a turf stake and he enters European import Dolce Zel (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}). Graduating at second asking in France for her former connections, the bay was privately purchased by Michael Dubb,...

Just a nose short of getting her first graded win in the Mar. 6 GIII Florida Oaks, Jouster offered no anxious moments this time, rolling home a comfortable winner in Saturday's GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland. Signaling her readiness with a sharp four-furlong move in :48.46 at Palm Beach Downs Mar. 27, the 8-5 favorite went straight to the front as her partner, Luis Saez, lulled the field to sleep through initial splits of :24.82 and :49.87. With plenty in reserve kicking for home, the Starlight Racing runner built a...