Don't Tell Sophia wins return in Churchill's Locust Grove

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Don't Tell Sophia, making her first start in nearly six months, won Saturday's $100,000 Locust Grove Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs.

Trained by co-owner Phil Sims and ridden by Joe Rocco Jr., Don't Tell Sophia went off as the 2-1 second pick behind 9-5 favorite On Fire Baby in the six- horse field of fillies and mares.

Don't Tell Sophia, co-owned by Jerry Namy, trailed the field along the inside through the early going. She swung wide around the far turn and moved to the lead at the top of the stretch. The 6-year-old mare drew away from the competition to post a 2 1/4-length victory.

Finishing second was Molly Morgan, recent winner of the Gardenia Stakes at Ellis Park. Completing the order of finish was 16-1 longshot Frivolous followed by 2013 Breeders' Cup champ Ria Antonia, Baby Fresh and On Fire Baby. Tapit's World was scratched.

The time for the Locust Grove was 1:44.93 on a fast track.

Don't Tell Sophia picked up $66,413 for the victory and recorded her third win from four starts this year. Don't Tell Sophia has 10 wins from 21 career starts and has banked $679,295.

The 6-year-old made her last start on March 15 in Oaklawn Park's Azeri when she finished third to leading older female Close Hatches. Don't Tell Sophia began 2014 with repeat victories in Oaklawn's Pippin and Bayakoa Stakes. Last year at Churchill she won the Chilukki and was second in the Falls City Handicap.

Don't Tell Sophia returned $6.20, $2.80 and $2.60. Molly Morgan paid $3.40 and $2.60, Frivolous paid $5.20 to show.