Blind Luck, winner of the 2010 Kentucky Oaks, returned to Churchill Downs on Ladies Day to take the Grade 2 La Troienne by a half length over last year's victor, Unrivaled Belle. This was the first win this year for Blind Luck. Unrivaled Belle and Blind Luck last met in the Breeders' cup Ladies Classic over the Churchill track last November. In that race, Unrivaled Belle was the victor by almost two lengths over Blind Luck.
Today was Blind Luck's day. After a poor start, Blind Luck trailed the field before making her move on the last turn and catching Unrivaled Belle in the last yards.
In regards to Blind Luck's bad start, jockey Garrett Gomez said, "She was standing good (at the start) and then for some reason she fell to her head. But she got back up and got going. One of the positive things about it is that she wants to be back there (near the rear) anyway. I didn't have to rush her, just sort of ease up to them."
Blind Luck managed to close in on the leaders and made a driving stretch run to catch Unrivaled Belle. Jockey of Unrivaled Belle, Kent Desormeaux, said, "The winner came around me though and was just best today. My mare was full of run and she did her thing."
Blind Luck paid $4.80, $2.60, and $2.20. Unrivaled Belle paid $3.20 and $2.60, and third-place finisher All Due Respect paid $5.80. Completing the super was Absinthe Minded.
Photo: Courtesy Kentucky Derby