August 10, 2026
Odds-on favorite Manuka Honey stalked a contested early pace, ran down the leaders on the turn and drew off to a 7-length win Sunday in the ninth running of the $250,000 Ellis Park Debutante at Ellis Park.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Upstart out of the Hold Me Back mare Drop Dead Red, Manuka Honey was bred by Terry Hamilton and foaled March 5, 2024. She was sold by Hidden Brook Farm at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale and has now earned $202,271.
Luis Sáez rode the victory for trainer Brian Lynch and owners Lisa Lee, Jason Sciortino, William Lynch and Brian Howe in the seven-furlong race for eight 2-year-old fillies, one of six stakes worth a combined $1.5 million on Ellis Park Derby day.
Sweet Mary brushed an inner rival at the start and dug in along the fence to show the way by a head through a 22.28-second quarter-mile, with Glory Run pressing outside her. Glory Run poked a head in front through a half-mile in 45.05 seconds.
Manuka Honey raced third throughout the run to the turn, three to four paths off the rail, and closed on the leaders without much urging. Glory Run forged a short advantage at the three-furlong pole. Manuka Honey took aim from the outside, sparred with her and headed her entering the stretch, passing three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.25 and putting the race away from there.
“She was more professional today,” Sáez said. “She broke well, and I was comfortable on her because I knew she was a special filly. Brian does an amazing job.”
“She’s been a very forward filly from the start,” Lynch said. “From her first start to this one, she trained so professionally and did everything so easily. Hopefully this sets her up well moving forward.”
-edited from www.horseracingnation.com