Longshot Turn to Lass Wins Martha Washington Duel

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Turn to Lass battled with All Electric throughout before prevailing in the stretch to win the $50,000 Martha Washington, featured race on the President's Day card Monday at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

Breaking from post position 10 in the 12-horse field, All Electric jumped out to the early lead but was quickly joined by Turn to Lass, who was a lot closer toward the rail in the number two post at the start. Ridden by Roman Chapa, Turn to Lass led through the first turn and down the backstretch, setting a moderate pace of :23.99 and :49.16 for a half-mile. All Electric then assumed the lead rounding the far turn, with the three-quarters of a mile completed in 1:15.58. All Electric continued to lead into the stretch before Turn to Lass showed another turn of foot and strode out to a three-quarter length victory, getting the mile over a track rated good in 1:41.93.

A 3-year-old daughter of Bright Launch--Double's Lass (by Mr. Leader), Turn to Lass is trained by Eugene F. Brajczewski, Jr. for Hurstland Farm and Kevin McLaughlin. The filly was bred in Kentucky by Hurstland Farm.

Turn to Lass paid $28.80, $11.80, $7.60, with All Electric paying $5.60 and $4.80. Yoursmineours was third, returning $4.40. Saltwater Runner, the 13-10 favorite who broke from the 11 post position, finished sixth. Wacky Patty, who had run second in the Sunshine Millions Oaks at Gulfstream Park, was scratched.

The Martha Washington marked the fourth win in eight starts for Turn to Lass, who won her first two career starts before a second and two third-place finishes when moved up to stakes company. Following an eighth-place effort in the Dixie Belle Stakes victory of Saltwater Runner, Turn to Lass won an allowance at Oaklawn previous to Monday's victory and has now earned $138,760.

(Chart, Equibase)

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