Never Retreat wins the 2011 First Lady Stakes

A field of 12 older fillies and mares went 1 mile on the turf in the $400,000 First Lady Stakes (G1). Note that unlike last year, this is not a Breeders' Cup Challenge race for the Filly and Mare Turf division. Wasted Tears set fractions of 23.59, 46.80, and 1:10.61 while 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Absinthe Minded stalking her in second. Wasted Tears held the lead to mid-stretch through 7/8 in 1:22.29, as 4-1 second choice Never Retreat was unleashing her rally from 4th. Never Retreat finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of Together in 1:34.08 over the firm course. It was just a nose back to 7-2 favorite Daveron third.