Favored Keeper Hill Wins by Neck

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Keeper Hill, who shipped in from California after finishing second in the Santa Anita Oaks six weeks ago, came from off the pace Friday to win the $605,500 Kentucky Oaks by a neck over Banshee Breeze.

Ridden by David Flores for trainer Bobby Frankel, Keeper Hill won her third race in seven starts before 94,415, the largest non-Kentucky Derby crowd in Churchill Downs history.

Really Polish, who broke inwardly at the start, bumping Occhi Verdi, also made a late run and finished third, 3 3/4 lengths behind Banshee Breeze.

The rest of the order of finish in the 1 1/8-mile race: Star Of Broadway, Let, Nurse Goodbody, Soft Senorita, Well Chosen, Roza Robata, Came Unwound, Diamond On The Run, Try N Sue and Occhi Verdi.

The time on a fast but dull track was 1:52.

Keeper Hill races for a partnership that includes John A. Chandler. The daughter of Deputy Minister and Fineza earned $375,410 and paid $8.60 as a mild favorite.

“At the quarter pole, I had to wait for room,” Flores said. “I knew the leader [Star Of Broadway] would not hang on. I hit my filly left-handed and she really responded.”

In other stakes at Churchill Downs on Friday, Gary Stevens rode two winners--Dernier Croise in the $100,000 Crown Royal American Turf, and Indian Rocket in the $100,000 Churchill Downs Turf Sprint. Escena, owned by Allen Paulson, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Jerry Bailey, won the $250,000 Louisville Breeders’ Cup Stakes.

Escena, winner of the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., in her last start, went off 3-5 and won by four lengths. One Rich Lady was second and Three Fanfares finished third.