Imaginary Lady Scores Easy Victory in Princess Stakes

Odds-on favorite Imaginary Lady, one of Wayne Lukas’ prominent fillies this year, led the entire way and won the $106,100 Princess Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths Saturday before a crowd of 21,529 at Hollywood Park.

Kelly finished second in the field of five 3-year-olds, and Darby’s Daughter was another five lengths back in third place.

Imaginary Lady, ridden by Gary Stevens, led by seven lengths at the head of the stretch. Darby’s Daughter, who was coming off a seven-month layoff, tired in the stretch and gave way to Kelly, who put on a late kick to narrow the gap somewhat. Kelly, a daughter of Secretariat, is winless in her last three races.

Imaginary Lady covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 2/5 for her third consecutive victory in a graded stakes and her seventh win in 10 starts. She has never been worse than second.

The daughter of Marfa paid $2.40, $2.20 and $2.10 and earned $61,100 for Lukas and co-owner Bob French Jr., increasing her earnings to $502,370.

Lukas, who also trains the fillies, Open Mind and Some Romance, won the Princess for the third time, the most by any trainer in the 24 runnings of the Grade II race.

Kelly, with Patrick Valenzuelal up, paid $3.20 and $2.10. Darby’s Daughter, with Eddie Delahoussaye aboard, paid $2.10.

Stevens also won the sixth race with Hot Operator ($4.20) and the ninth with Sperry ($5.20).