Lexie Lou Set For Hollywood Derby

Canada’s Top Filly Is Ready To Take On California Chrome

By: Claudia Lorena

Ontario-bred Lexie Lou has been cross-entered in the Matriarch Stakes this weekend at Del Mar, but for those that are wondering whether or not she will stick to challenging the boys, trainer Mark Casse has confirmed, “the Hollywood Derby is a go.”

“She’s going to race in the Derby,” Casse stated to me over the phone. When asked why she had been cross-entered, he said, “We wanted to make sure all our bases were covered, just in case. But the Derby has been the goal from the beginning, and we’re expecting a great run from her.”

A daughter of 2001 Hollywood Derby runner-up Sligo Bay (IRE), and grand-daughter of 1991 Metropolitan H., Suburban H., Whitney H. and Woodward S. winner In Excess (IRE), Lexie has the lineage of a top turf runner. Stabled at Del Mar since the wrap of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Saturday’s Hollywood Derby will be her second race outside of Canada and her first at Del Mar. “She’s well adjusted to the surroundings.” Casse added. “I’m not too concerned about how she’ll run out there. She loves the turf.”

The filly was all the rave this summer, when she took on the boys in the Queen’s Plate during the first leg of Canada’s Triple Crown. Everyone was talking about her going for the Prince of Wales, the second leg, but she opted out and, instead, ran against the girls in the Wonder Where Stakes at Woodbine, where she won by three lengths.

There was cause for concern when she flopped in the Canadian Stakes, back in September. “No trainer likes to see their horse run the way she did that day.” Casse said. “But she came out of the race just fine and there was nothing physically wrong with her.” The three-year-old filly, whom had not had problems traveling 1 1/8, ran second for most of the race—which was normal for her—but uncharacteristically faded from second to last, rapidly, around the final turn.

Ten days later, she came back to win the Autumn Miss G3 going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita, except with Corey Nakatani in the irons, instead of Patrick Husbands. Though there is no correlation to her jockey switch, she’s been doing peachy since. “I don’t know what happened. All I can say is that she was not herself that day.”

So how does Casse feel about having his Queen’s Plate filly take on Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome? “Well, the good news is, we know she can run on grass.” He laughed. “California Chrome has never raced on [turf], so it’s harder to judge. But, if he takes to it, and likes it, no one is going to catch him.”

Chrome has been at Del Mar for a few days and the excitement of the two Classic winners racing each other has been all the chatter. Casse remains confident in his filly and mentioned that he is looking forward to end of the year awards (Sovereign Awards), back in Canada.

“Regardless of how she does on Saturday, I don’t think anyone else is more deserving of a Sovereign Award than [Lexie Lou]. She’s had a fantastic year.”

Photo: Woodbine Entertainment