Farrell keeps rolling to top of Oaks leaderboard in Rachel Alexandra

Feb 25, 2017 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Coffeepot Stables’ homebred Farrell made it three straight wins in Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps with a resounding victory in Saturday’s $196,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds, and in the process, vaulted to the top of the leaderboard with 70 points.

Farrell had used her early speed to romp in the November 26 Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs and to stalk-and-pounce in the January 21 Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds, netting 10 Oaks points for each. Once the 7-2 third choice scampered to the fore on a comfortable lead in the Rachel Alexandra, the race was effectively over.

Valadorna, the 3-2 second pick, tried to challenge at the top of the stretch. As a homebred campaigned by Stonestreet Stables, of Rachel Alexandra fame, Valadorna would have been a poignant winner. But she was no match for Farrell, who repulsed her bid in short order.

Kicking away again beneath regular rider Channing Hill, Farrell crossed the wire a 3 1/2-length winner. The Wayne Catalano pupil completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.09 and earned 50 points toward the Kentucky Oaks.

The 23-1 maiden Majestic Quality got up to deny Valadorna runner-up honors by a neck. Majestic Quality now has 20 Oaks points. Valadorna, who entered with 8 points from her second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), added 10 here for her third-place effort, and an overall tally of 18 points.

Wicked Lick, a 40-1 longshot, edged 7-5 favorite Shane’s Girlfriend to take fourth. That gave Wicked Lick 5 more points to go along with her previous 4 (from her second to Farrell in the Silverbulletday), yielding 9 all told.

The Kentucky-bred Farrell now sports a mark of 6-4-0-1, $361,357. The Malibu Moon filly is a half-sister to Carpe Diem, prominent on the 2015 Kentucky Derby trail when winning the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Blue Grass (G1), and Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

Farrell is emerging as the individual alternative to hot favorite Unique Bella in this weekend's Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. As of 9 p.m. (EST) Saturday, Farrell was the second choice at 10-1 (bet down from a 15-1 morning line). Unique Bella was 6-5, with 'all other three-year-old fillies' at 11-1.

Photo of Farrell courtesy Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir