Engaginglee Rallies to Win Locust Grove

After racing in the back of the field of six fillies and mares early, Engaginglee rallied four wide in the stretch to earn a narrow victory in the $100,000 Locust Grove Stakes (gr. III) Sept. 17 on a muddy track at Churchill Downs. 

In edging longshot Miss Pink Diva at the wire, Engaginglee earned the first stakes win of her career, giving co-owner Jack Stewart his first graded stakes score.

"It's unbelievable; it's been a great ride," Stewart told track media after the race. He noted the closing kick is nothing new. "That's how she always runs. I was pretty confident in the stretch."

Stewart co-owns the 5-year-old daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus   with Paul Lichtefeld. Engaginglee is the 75th black-type stakes winner for her sire.

Trained by Dale Romans, Engaginglee previously earned graded stakes placings three times, including a runner-up finish in this year's La Troienne Stakes (gr. I). She would not be denied Saturday, completing the 1 1/16-mile test in 1:46.24 on a muddy track to win by a head.

"When I put her outside for the stretch run, she responded well," said winning rider Luis Saez.

Early on in the 1 1/16-mile test, Innovative Idea led through a quarter-mile in :24.93 in her first start since winning the Aug. 6 Groupie Doll Stakes (gr. III) at Ellis Park. In the far turn, Innovative Idea was engaged by Miss Pink Diva and those two opened a clear advantage on the field as 2-5 favorite Ahh Chocolate, a multiple graded stakes winner, faded to last.

Innovative Idea and Miss Pink Diva carried their battle into the stretch where Engaginglee joined them, heads apart in midstretch. Engaginglee carried her momentum to the wire, forcing Miss Pink Diva—who went with the late runner—to settle for second.

Engaginglee returned $17.60, $6.20, and $4.80 across the board while Miss Pink Diva paid $14.20 and $6.80. Innovative Idea returned $4 to show.

Bred in Kentucky by her owners, Engaginglee is the first stakes winner out of winning Fit to Fight mare Lee Gage.