By J.N. Campbell
When the ground settled in the GIII FanDuel Limestone Stakes at Keeneland on Friday it was Slay the Day (f, 3, Into Mischief–Mind Out, by Tapit) who took home the win and set a new stakes record going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass.
The Keeneland sales graduate broke her maiden over the dirt at Churchill Downs Nov. 16 for Flying Dutchmen, then was the runner-up facing optional claimers at Gulfstream Park Jan. 3. Given two months away from the races, the Brian Lynch trainee tried sprinting on the turf at Gulfstream Park Mar. 6 and cleared that same condition by four lengths.
As a 7-1 shot here, Slay the Day came out of the gate and immediately began to track to the outside of heavy favorite and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Cy Fair (Not This Time).
Whereas Cy Fair was allowed to make a run from off the speed to win the Algonquin Stakes and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, connections elected to leave nothing to chance as the George Weaver trainee covered the first quarter mile in :21.78.
GIII Limestone Stakes finish | Coady Media
Cy Fair held the front into the lane, but began to have difficulty switching leads inside the final furlong. Slay the Day took advantage and worked her way past to the wire. Sapphire Beach (Ire) (No Nay Never) was the runner-up, while Cy Fair finished third.
The final time of 1:01.99 was a new stakes record for the Limestone–upgraded to Grade III status for the first time.
“The way she ran the first time on the grass [winning an allowance race on the turf last out at Gulfstream Park Mar. 6], she obviously found her surface,” said trainer Brian Lynch. “Then you've got a rider like [jockey] Johnny [Velazquez], who can handle that sort of stuff under pressure. She left there running and got herself in a good spot.
“She touted herself all week, that she was doing well, and when we saddled her she never turned a hair,” he added. “She took everything in her stride here. We're just so thrilled that she's doing what she's doing and she's found her surface. She's a beautifully bred filly and now she's a Grade III winner.”
“She was going awesome the whole way around,” said jockey John Velazquez. “She broke really well. I was expecting a little more speed, that somebody would go. I was right next to [pacesetter] Cy Fair, right next to her. I took a nice hold of [Slay the Day] and then at the quarter pole I made sure I kept a little pressure on the horse in front. Down the lane when she responded, she responded very quickly. Very nice. Thank you to [trainer Brian Lynch]; he got her ready for me.”
“[Her name is] Dutch Bros [Coffee] slogan, and “slay the day” just means to take advantage and totally conquer the day,” said Payton Boersma, son of Flying Dutchmen owner Travis Boersma. “She did that today. Gosh, it feels so good, so good [to get the graded win]. She was doing it against some of the best fillies in the country. Those fillies, they're really tough. She proved how nice she is today.”
Pedigree Notes:
Slay the Day is the 196th black-type winner and 99th winner at the graded level for Spendthrift standout Into Mischief.
Her dam's first foal, the winner has a 2-year-old half-brother named Caddie (Curlin) and a yearling half-sister by Gun Runner.
A $1.2-million purchase by Dana Bernhard out of the 2021 Keeneland November Sale, Mind Out was entered in Nyquist's book for the current season. Slay the Day's dam is herself a half-sister to dual Canadian champion Miss Mischief (Into Mischief) and the dam of MGISP Rowayton (Into Mischief).
Under the Limestone winner's third dam we find GI Del Mar Futurity winner J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal) and Champion Older Dirt Female Letruska (Super Saver).
Friday, Keeneland Race Course
FANDUEL LIMESTONE S.-GIII, $328,150, Keeneland, 4-10, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.99, fm.
1–SLAY THE DAY, 118, f, 3, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Mind Out (MSP, $102,840), by Tapit
2nd Dam: Kid Majic, by Lemon Drop Kid
3rd Dam: Call Her Magic, by Caller I. D.
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($170,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC; B-Pin Oak Stud LLC (KY); T-Brian A Lynch; J-John R Velazquez. $206,150. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $337,238. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sapphire Beach (Ire), 118, f, 3, No Nay Never–Bright Sapphire (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($85,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $57,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). O-Three Diamonds Farm; B-Mr Charlie Brooks (IRE); T-George R Arnold II. $47,500.
3–Cy Fair, 123, f, 3, Not This Time–Remarqued, by Arch. ($185,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables LLC, Joey Platts & Mark Stanton; B-Marc Keller (KY); T-George Weaver. $33,250.
Margins: NK, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 7.07, 8.78, 1.03.
Also Ran: Light Won Up, Lennilu, Should've, Map of the Moon, Quiet Street, Snow Face Princess. Scratched: Candy Talking, Debbie Doll, Midnight Martini, Pure Eloquence, Will Happen. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
A stakes record! #11 SLAY THE DAY ($16.14) got to the lead late and would hold on to win the $350,000 @FanDuel Limestone Stakes (G3) at @keenelandracing. The daughter of Into MIschief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @ljlmvel and is trained by @BLynchRacing. pic.twitter.com/gymoI6lT6Q
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 10, 2026
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