La Mehana draws off in G2 Glens Falls

LSU Stables’ La Mehana saved ground in third position for the majority of the three-turn race before drawing off impressively in Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls, a 1 1/2-mile inner turf test for older fillies and mares, at Saratoga Race Course.

The French-bred 6-year-old Al Wukair bay led the favored Bellezza in an exacta for trainer Miguel Clement, who also sent out Sacaya in the field of seven. La Mehana validated a last-out closing victory in an 11-furlong optional claimer on June 27 over firm Belmont at the Big A turf, which saw its six contestants enter back in the Glens Falls. 

Clement said the authoritative win may propel La Mehana to the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares on August 30 here, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in November at Del Mar.  

“She's a 6-year-old but her last two races might be her best two races to date. Maybe she's like French wine where she's getting better with age, but it's rare to have a horse hitting the top form as a 6-year-old,” said Clement. “I think the Flower Bowl will be strongly considered next. It's not often you win graded stakes like that, by open lengths. So, it's very rewarding for the whole team.”

Piloted by Flavien Prat, who was aboard for the first time in the afternoon in the recent prep race, La Mehana brushed the side of her stall as she exited the inside post while Long Ago went to the front under pressure from Sacaya through an opening quarter-mile in 24.04 seconds on the yielding turf. 

“The ground was actually quite soft. She was handling it well. She jumped well out of there and I was able to get a good position into the first turn,” said Prat. 

La Mehana settled a few lengths back in third position to the inside of Dazzlin’ Dictator as Long Ago led the field past the wire for the first time through a half-mile in 48.77. The order remained unchanged in the second turn and down the backside with Long Ago stalked by Sacaya and La Mehana saving ground through splits of 1:13.99 and 1:39.02. 

Long Ago held sway in the final turn as Sacaya faded while La Mehana was joined by the Hall of Famer Joel Rosario-piloted Bellezza and No Show Sammy Jo as the closers readied for their runs. 

“Always on the bridle the whole way,” said Prat. “I didn’t want to move too soon, but in the meantime, everybody was kind of falling apart in front of me and it was time to go. She made a good run.”

At the top of the lane, Long Ago battled on but La Mehana quickly closed the gap, and in the blink of an eye she had drawn off to an 8 3/4-length victory over Bellezza, who tipped out and passed Long Ago for second, in a final time of 2:30.54. 

No Show Sammy Jo finished fourth, with Lady Firefoot, Dazzlin’ Dictator and Sacaya completing the order of finish. Immensitude and main track-only Bernietakescharge were scratched. 

Bred in France by S.A. Haras du Mezeray, the Group 1-placed La Mehana is a half-sister to group-winner Ocean Fantasy out of the winning Dansili mare Oceanie. She was purchased for $430,503 by the late Christophe Clement at the 2023 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. 

“She's a great horse. When Christophe bought her for us at the end of 2023, he told us, ‘This is a special horse and you're going to do really good with her,’” said Randy Sarf of LSU Stables. “We've had lots of fun with her. This is our third win with her.” 

Earlier this year, La Mehana landed third in three consecutive Grade 3s at Gulfstream Park, including the Orchid, the The Very One and the La Prevoyante. She has been third at that level five times since coming to the U.S. last year, but did win the 11-furlong Grade 3 Waya in October at Belmont at the Big A. 

“She comes [in] third sometimes - she's a great horse; she tries hard all the time,” said Sarf. “She had a perfect trip today - Flavien did a great job. The Clement team did a great job and we're winning. On to the Flower Bowl next.”

Clement believed Bellezza was hindered by the cut in the ground. The 4-year-old Siyouni bay was third last out in the yielding 1 3/16-mile Grade 1 New York presented by Rivers Casino on June 6 here after winning the firm Grade 3 Sheepshead Bay in May at Belmont at the Big A. 

“Without a doubt, it hindered Bellezza's chances. I thought she was a little bit unlucky in the New York because of the going,” said Clement. “Grade 2 black type for that filly. She's just a 4-year-old, but she's improving her performances. She might be better on firmer turf."

La Mehana banked $137,500 in victory while improving her record to 24-9-1-6 and returning $7 for a $2 win bet.

Live racing resumes Wednesday with a nine-race program that features the New York-bred $150,000 Johnstone in Race 8. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

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