Don't Tell Sophia Sharp in Locust Grove
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Trainer Phil Simms and Jerry Namy's Don't Tell Sophia, who hadn't raced since a third-place finish in the grade II Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park in March, circled the field to win the $108,200 Locust Grove Stakes at Churchill Downs Sept. 6 .
Ridden by Joe Rocco Jr., 2-1 second choice Don't Tell Sophia trailed early through pedestrian fractions of :25.21 for the opening quarter-mile and :49.76 for a half-mile in the 1 1/16-mile event for fillies and mares.
Rocco asked Don't Ask Sophia to run entering the lane and the 6-year-old mare by Congaree out of the Valid Expectations mare Lost Expectations pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:44.93 on a fast track.
Molly Morgan, winner of the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill and the Gardenia Stakes (gr. III) at Ellis Park, rallied from midpack to finish second, a nose ahead of pacesetter Frivolous, who was third.
Don't Tell Sophia, who won her 10th race in 21 starts, paid $6.20, $2.80, and $2.60 across the board. Molly Morgan paid $3.40 and $2.60, and Frivolous paid $5.20 to show. The $2 exacta paid $22.20 and the $2 trifecta returned $88.40.
Don't Tell Sophia, who boosted her earnings to $679,275 with the win, was bred in Kentucky by Stonerside Stable.
Ria Antonia ran fourth in the field of six fillies and mares, followed by Baby Fresh and 19-10 pick On Fire Baby, who led after a half-mile but faded coming into the stretch. Tapit's World scratched.