It had been a long time since Old Coach Farm's Eyerish Inspired had been in the winner's circle, but on April 8 in the seventh race at Laurel Park the gray 4-year-old filly rallied from ninth early in a field of 12 to get up in time to win a 1 1/16-mile claiming event on the turf.

The victory netted the Paddy O'Prado filly, bred in Maryland by Dark Hollow Farm, $16,302, which includes a state-bred bonus. That moved her to fifth in the Fantasy Ownership Challenge standings after her eighth-place finish March 18 produced no purse money. She dropped to sixth after Whiskey Sour won the second race at Laurel April 9.

Ridden by Alex Cintron for trainer Mike Gorham, Eyerish Inspired had shown some late gas in two starts on the grass at Laurel last fall and seems to prefer the 1 1/16-mile distance. She now has two wins in 12 starts, with two seconds and one third.

Three contest participants "own" a share in Eyerish Inspired, who figures to reappear on the turf in the future. The filly is the second contest horse to win outside of the six who captured races opening day of the Challenge, which extends through Dec. 31 and awards prize money to the top five owners based on earnings accrued beginning March 18.

(Photo by Jim McCue/MJC)