UNI ($8) set a Keeneland turf-course record of 1:32.87 for a mile when powering to victory Saturday in the 22nd running of the Grade 1, $400,000 First Lady on the Keeneland turf.
Reserved well off a quick pace by Joel Rosario, Uni rolled home fastest of all, finishing 2 1/2 lengths before JULIET FOXTROT in a field of 13 fillies and mares, with VASILIKA another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. The winner is a 5-year-old British-bred mare trained by Chad Brown for a 4-way partnership.
The other Brown starter, RUSHING FALL, finished fourth after racing farther off the pace than normal. The top five order was 4-3-6-11-14.
Uni earned a Win and You’re In berth into the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Brown has been dominant in that race in recent years.
The $2 exacta (4-3) paid $57.60, the $1 trifecta (4-3-6) returned $130.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (4-3-6-11) was worth $29.25.
The prior record for a mile at Keeneland was 1:33.54, set in 2004 by Perfect Soul.
Marcus Hersh will have the full First Lady recap on drf.com before long.