Beyond Blame Dominates Grade 3 Regret Stakes

LOUISVILLE, KY –  Pop a Top LLC’s homebred Beyond Blame made a furious rally to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs. The Regret was race 9 on the Downs After Dark Presented by Budweiser program.

The Brad Cox trainee was is a good stalking position down the backside as she saved ground, and then was tipped wide entering the stretch while making a bold move. After kicking clear of the leader she drifted out slightly, but refocused and won the race with ease by a length and a half. Jockey Florent Geroux explained how the horse was really on her game tonight.

“It’s great to be able to perform at the top level on a big Saturday like this,” Geroux said. “She got into some trouble in her last start but tonight she settled nicely into the first turn and was able to relax just off the speed. She tried really hard down the lane once she took the lead to hold off the other horses. Credit to Brad and his entire team. It’s been a great night.”

Romantic Moment went out to the lead while setting a solid pace with Go Noni Go sitting just behind the her. At the top of the stretch Go Noni Go took the lead, but it didn’t last long as Beyond Blame came ranging up five wide heading into the final turn. The daughter of Blame took the lead in mid-stretch, and had a enough left in the tank to hold off a late rally from Heavenly Love.

Beyond Blame improved her record to 6-3-2-0 with $123,040 in total earnings. With a win like this it opens the door for several options for her heading into some of the big summer races down the road. The Grade 3 Regret Stakes seemed like an evenly matched race on paper, but this filly made short work of the field. Trainer Brad Cox believes this horse could be one to watch this summer.

“If you just simply cross off her last race, she hasn’t run a bad race in her life. She proved tonight she was very versatile and could have some nice races in her future this summer.”

Beyond Blame returned $9.00 to win, $5.20 to place, and $3.60 to show. Go Noni Go brought back $13.20 to place and $7.40 to show, while Heavenly Love paid $4.00 to show.