Break Even Breaks Away For Eight Belles Triumph

LOUISVILLE, KY – Klein Racing’s undefeated homebred Break Even made every step a winning one, breaking away from the field to triumph in Friday’s Eight Belles Stakes (G2) Presented by Derby City Gaming at Churchill Downs.

Blasting out of post 4 under Shaun Bridgmohan as the 2/1 favorite, Break Even quickly asserted command and posted unpressured opening fractions of :22.08 and :44.14. Still unchallenged as she made the turn for home, Break Even drew away under confident handling while her foes fought for the minor positions.

Never asked for her best, the Brad Cox trainee crossed with a 5 1/2-length advantage in a final time of 1:22.13 for the 7-furlong sprint over the sloppy (sealed) main track.

“She’s a very special filly and thanks to (owner) Richard (Klein) for putting me back on her coming off an injury,” Leparoux said. “He believed in me and I believed in the filly and she is pretty special. Today was a real question for her. Everything she’s done so far has been so easy on her, and today, I (tapped) her a couple of times, and once I did, she really responded well.”

Bell’s the One emerged from the far turn in second and stayed there through the finish line at 23/1, the longest shot on the board. Queen of Beas headed Proud Emma for third, with Bizwhacks just a 1/2-length behind in fifth. Mother Mother brushed the gate at the start and didn’t recover before nosing Del Mar May for sixth. Lyrical Lady and Take Charge Angel were both eased and walked off to complete the order of finish.

Break Even’s win was her fourth in as many career starts, including the Purple Martin Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 30. The 3-year-old daughter of Country Day has now earned $287,400 in her career.

“This filly is very fast,” Cox said. “I think the most impressive thing about her is how laid back she is. A lot of times, horses that go that fast are horses that tend to be keyed up and want to over-train in the mornings. Not this filly. She just gallops around each morning nice and easy with her ears up. It’s almost like Monomoy Girl, to some degree; she was like that. Same thing with this filly. For such a lightly-raced filly, she’s very mature.”

Break Even returned $6.40 to win, $4.40 to place, and $3.40 to show. Bell’s the One brought back $16.60 to place and $8.40 to show, while Queen of Beas paid $4.20 to show.