Pauline’s Pearl prevails in the Fleur de Lis (G2) July 1 at Ellis Park (Coady Photography)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Stonestreet Stables’ accomplished 5-year-old mare Pauline’s Pearl tops a field of 11 entered in Saturday’s 39th running of the Grade III, $400,000 Locust Grove at Churchill Downs.
The 1 1/16-mile Locust Grove, which serves as a local prep toward the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI), will go as the 10th race on the stakes-laden 11-race program. Post time is 5:26 p.m. The stellar afternoon of racing will also feature the $300,000 Iroquois (GIII), $300,000 Pocahontas, $300,000 Open Mind (Listed) and $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society. First post is 12:45 p.m.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Pauline’s Pearl gamely returned to the winner’s circle in the $400,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) where she dug in late to defeat Bellamore and A Mo Reay by three-quarters of a length. Prior to the Fleur de Lis, Pauline’s Pearl was the half-length winner of the 2022 La Troienne (GI) at Churchill Downs. Ricardo Santana Jr. will have the mount in the Locust Grove from post No. 2.
The deep field in the Locust Grove also includes Grade I winner A Mo Reay; Groupie Doll Stakes winner Falconet and multiple graded stakes winner Search Results.
Here is the complete field for the Locust Grove from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Soul of an Angel (Ajhari Williams, Gerald James); Pauline’s Pearl (Santana, Asmussen); Le Da Vida (CHI) (Vince Cheminaud, Ignacio Correas IV); Search Results (Tyler Gaffalione, Chad Brown); Misty Veil (James Graham, Mike Maker); Hidden Connection (Cristian Torres, Bret Calhoun); A Mo Reay (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox); Fannie and Freddie (Corey Lanerie, Al Stall Jr.); Music Street (Declan Cannon, Whit Beckman); Falconet (Gerardo Corrales, Todd Pletcher); Royal Take Charge (Rey Gutierrez, Al Stall Jr.).
