French Group 3 Winner Captures 1 1/16-Mile Turf Stakes
Anchors Four Stakes Worth $400,000 on Father’s Day Program

LAUREL, MD – Lael Stables’ I’m So Fancy, looking more relaxed than in her North American debut 3 ½ weeks earlier on the biggest day in Maryland racing, put her class on display in a 2 ¾-length victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Big Dreyfus Stakes at Laurel Park.

The Big Dreyfus for fillies and mares 3 and older anchored four $100,000 stakes on a special Father’s Day program, preceded by the Prince George’s County for 3-year-olds and up, also at 1 1/16 miles on Laurel’s world-class turf course, and a pair of seven-furlong dirt sprints, the Polynesian for 3-year-olds and up and the Alma North for sophomore fillies.

Given an ideal ride from Trevor McCarthy, his second of three wins on the afternoon, I’m So Fancy ($6.40) hit the wire in 1:40.34 over a firm All Along turf course for her first North American triumph. She was fourth, beaten 3 ½ lengths by front-running Mitchell Road, in the Stella Artois Gallorette (G3) May 18 at Pimlico Race Course on the undercard of the 144th Preakness Stakes (G1).

“She was much better today than she was Preakness day. She was a little bit nervous that day. Today she really had all of her composure, she was nice, and it all worked out,” trainer Arnaud Delacour said. “I just felt that in the first race we learned a lot about her running style and what to do or not to do, and today we just tried to adjust a little bit.”

McCarthy kept I’m So Fancy covered up racing fourth along the inside while 30-1 long shot So Innocent was eager up front, posting fractions of 23.35 and 47.90 seconds under pressure from Dark Artist to her right and Pugilist further out. As Dark Artist and Pugilist moved up to engage So Innocent leaving the far turn, McCarthy tipped I’m So Fancy to the outside to commence their run.

I’m So Fancy, the 2-1 favorite in a field of 12, quickly established command as Dark Artist tried to keep pace along the inside and drew off convincingly for her fifth career triumph and second in stakes company. The 5-year-old mare captured the 1 1/8-mile Snow Fairy (G3) last September at the Curragh.

“I got along with her great today,” McCarthy said. “She just got a perfect trip. I had so much horse I just tipped her out four wide and she made us look good today. When they’re much the best like her today, it’s just get her out in the clear and let her do her running.”

Theodora B. came with a late run to edge Dark Artist by a head for second. They were followed by Malakeh, Grade 3 winner Andina Del Sur, Pugilist, Quick Witted, Good Roll, Hogans Holiday, Enchanted Ghost, Shimmering Aspen and So Innocent. Lift Up was scratched.