Simply In Front Wins Thrilling Duel in Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

In a heart-pounding finish on the Kentucky Derby undercard, Anderson Stables’ Simply in Front dug deep in the final strides to nail Pin Up Betty by a neck in the $750,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) on May 3, 2025. The victory marked a successful 4-year-old debut for the Eddie Kenneally trainee.

Breaking from an outside post under jockey Luis Saez, Simply in Front was content to settle near the back of the pack as Serene Seraph set the pace over the turf course rated ‘good’. As the field turned for home, Pin Up Betty made a strong move between horses to seize the lead, looking like a potential winner.

However, Saez had Simply in Front rolling on the far outside. The two fillies hooked up in a dramatic duel through the final furlong, matching strides head-to-head. In a determined effort, Simply in Front found just enough in the final yards to get her nose in front at the wire, stopping the clock in 1:35.46 for the mile.

“I felt like I had a lot of horse,” Saez said about his position turning for home. “She responded really well.”

The win was the second graded stakes victory for Simply in Front, a daughter of Summer Front, following her score in the Music City Stakes (G2) last September.

Sent off at odds of 15-1, she returned a handsome $33 for the win, turning the tables on Pin Up Betty, who had finished ahead of her when they last met in the Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) the previous fall.

Movin’ On Up was third early, got stuck inside around the turn and got shuffled back to fifth. Jockey Jose Ortiz moved her to the clear in the stretch and rallied late to take third. Five Towns had a mild rally to finish fourth.

Tax Implications tried to to keep up on the rail but was outdueled and finished fifth. The big favorite Sacred Wish missed the break and was last all around, and finished seventh after passing the tiring pacesetter, Serene Seraph, who finished last.

Fractional Times: 23.56, 48.11, 1:12.55, 1:23.80
Final Time: 1:35.46

Winning Connections

Winner: Simply in Front
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
Owner: Colebrook Farms (John Burness (Brnjas))
Breeder: William Harrigan & Mike Pietrangelo
Bloodline: Bay Filly, by Summer Front out of Complicated, by Blame. Foaled Feb 25, 2021 in Kentucky
Summer Front began standing at Haras El Aguila in Panama starting with the 2024 season

Payouts

Exotics

• $2 EXACTA (9-3) Paid: $337.86
• $1 SUPERFECTA (9-3-2-5) Paid: $4,085.62
• $0.50 TRIFECTA (9-3-2) Paid: $324.27

Watch the Race