Favored Keeper Hill Wins by Neck

Keeper Hill, who shipped in from California after finishing second in the Santa Anita Oaks six weeks ago, came from off the pace Friday to win the $605,500 Kentucky Oaks by a neck over Banshee Breeze.

Ridden by David Flores for trainer Bobby Frankel, Keeper Hill won her third race in seven starts before 94,415, the largest non-Kentucky Derby crowd in Churchill Downs history.

Really Polish, who broke inwardly at the start, bumping Occhi Verdi, also made a late run and finished third, 3 3/4 lengths behind Banshee Breeze.

The rest of the order of finish in the 1 1/8-mile race: Star Of Broadway, Let, Nurse Goodbody, Soft Senorita, Well Chosen, Roza Robata, Came Unwound, Diamond On The Run, Try N Sue and Occhi Verdi.

The time on a fast but dull track was 1:52.

Keeper Hill races for a partnership that includes John A. Chandler. The daughter of Deputy Minister and Fineza earned $375,410 and paid $8.60 as a mild favorite.

“At the quarter pole, I had to wait for room,” Flores said. “I knew the leader [Star Of Broadway] would not hang on. I hit my filly left-handed and she really responded.”

In other stakes at Churchill Downs on Friday, Gary Stevens rode two winners--Dernier Croise in the $100,000 Crown Royal American Turf, and Indian Rocket in the $100,000 Churchill Downs Turf Sprint. Escena, owned by Allen Paulson, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Jerry Bailey, won the $250,000 Louisville Breeders’ Cup Stakes.

Escena, winner of the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., in her last start, went off 3-5 and won by four lengths. One Rich Lady was second and Three Fanfares finished third.