With a powerful late surge, ELATE ($3.80) went past a pair of dueling leaders in the final 100 yards to win as the odds-on favorite in the 44th running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs. BLUE PRIZE (3-1) was about a length behind the winner when getting the photo for second over SHE’S A JULIE (2-1).

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Elate was winning for the first time since the Delaware Handicap last July. The 5-year-old Medaglia d’Oro mare is owned by her breeders, Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider.

The winning time for the 1 1/8-mile distance was 1:50.33 over a fast track. The full order was 3-5-2-4.

The Fleur de Lis is a Win and You’re In toward the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

The top three finishers in the field of six fillies and mares are all Grade 1 winners.

The $2 exacta (3-5) paid $10.40, the $1 trifecta (3-5-2) returned $8.40, and the 10-cent superfecta (3-5-2-4) was worth a mere $1.66.

Byron King will have the full Fleur de Lis recap up before long at www.drf.com.