First Lady – (GI)

$800.00 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward – 1 Mile – Turf
Keeneland – October 3, 2026

A top notch field of eight fillies and mares assembled for the 2026 First Lady. The day was sunny. The turf was firm. After a mile and the second fastest running of this race, it was the five year old Terrifiant Sunset who crossed the wire first putting the rest of the Filly & Mare Turf division on notice that she is in great form heading into the Breeder’s Cup.

Winner: Terrifiant Sunset
Owner/Trainer: Mb Stables
Jockey: P. Lopez
Breeder: Our Athletes (Cal) Our Dark Knight/Skylon Sunset (Cherokee Sunset)

Sat back in tandem with Beach Towel behind the stalking pack while stablemate State Title carved out all of the early fractions. Began her move with three furlongs to go and swept out wide around the field for clear running in the stretch and powered home to open up a full length on the field at the wire.

Second: Poetic Panther
Owner/Trainer: Maletto
Jockey: J.R. Velasquez
Breeder: Two Hearts One Love (Fla) Lil Pink Panther/Poetic Dancer (Southern Style)

Ran four wide the entire race while settled into a four-horse stalking pack behind early pacesetter State Title. Moved into a challenging position coming into the stretch but Terrifiant Sunset was rallying outside of her and she was no match for that rival in the final furlong. 

Third: Dianas Fury
Owner/Trainer: D J C Racing Stables
Jockey: F. Pennigton
Breeder: Calia Stable (NY) Fire N Fury/Dawn Of Diania (Dawn Of Darkness)

Stalked the pacesetter in a group and moved willingly around the final turn to place herself in a contending position for the stretch battle. Hit the lead briefly in the final furlong only to be caught by the winner and Poetic Panther who dug in to nip her for second late. 

Fourth: Beach Towel
Owner/Trainer: Winning Link Stables 
Jockey: B. Curtis
Breeder: Winning Link Stables (Cal) Livinonthebeach/Z Diplomat (Z One Chance)

Kept early company towards the back of the field with the eventual winner. Began to move forward along with Terrifiant Sunset and appeared to have the better track position inside but that came along with some brief traffic while the winner had a free run despite having to go wide. Ducked to the inside to mount a challenge but could not find the needed kick to break into the top three settling for the final check. 

Preview Pick: Beach Towel – Fourth

This was the fourth win in the First Lady for Mb Stables and first win for jockey P. Lopez. This was the first graded stakes win for Terrifiant Sunset and the winner’s share of $480.00 brought her earnings over the $1,000.00 mark. The five-year-old mare who was bred in California by Our Athletes now boasts total winnings of $1,107.96. 

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES