Bonne Chance Farm's Resplendence pulled an 11-1 upset Feb. 20 in the 44th running of the $174,800 Cincinnati Trophy Stakes on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks at Turfway Park.
Resplendence set a moderate early tempo, covering the opening quarter-mile in :25 while being tracked into the first turn by Emily's Joy. She continued to lead the field up the backstretch after posting a composed half-mile in :50.82. In the stretch, Resplendence kept finding more and drew clear for a 2 3/4-length victory. She earned 20 points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1) that is set to take place at Churchill Downs May 1.
Ridden by Alberto Burgos and trained by Paulo Lobo, Resplendence ($25.42),completed the mile in 1:40.69 on a track rated fast.
"She just keeps improving," Lobo said. "I thought she was my best filly over the summer, but after her first couple of races I knew I had to back off on her. Once we got her over the all-weather, she really made an improvement."
Lovely Grey finished second, 5 lengths clear of Resist in third. Rip Current was fourth, followed by Map of the Moon. The second- through fifth-place finishers earned Kentucky Oaks qualifying points on a 10-6-4-2 basis. The post-time favorite, Dame Laura, was pulled up entering the first turn and vanned off the track.
Resplendence is a bay filly by Justify out of the Flower Alley mare Paradise Alley. She was bred in Kentucky by her owner. She now has two wins from five career starts, with her first career win coming in a maiden race Jan. 15 at Turfway. She now has earnings of $177,959.
