Neecie Marie storms home to win $2 million Light & Wonder Ladies Marathon S. (G3)

Neecie Marie made a bold move in upper stretch and rolled to a 2 ¾-length victory in the $2 million Light & Wonder Ladies Marathon S. (G3) Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs to give the Cross Traffic filly her second graded stakes victory.

The bay filly also became racing’s newest millionaire after the big payday in the 1 5/16-mile turf race, with career earnings of $1,160,150 for owner Michael Milam.

Neecie Marie was unhurried out of the gate and raced near the back of the field for the first seven furlongs. Jockey Joel Rosario swung her five-wide coming into the long stretch, and in the matter of a furlong she went from seventh to first. She left Vergara reeling in her wake as she finished the distance in 2:07.16, just a second off the track record.

“She shipped in perfectly,” said trainer Butch Reid. “Everything couldn’t have gone better. It’s nice when you have the horse that can do it. She shipped 11 hours to Colonial [and was third for the Beverly D. (G2)], and I think it was close to 13 hours to get down here. Nothing bothers her, and she loves every minute of it. A great filly. A great head on her shoulders is the best thing about her. Nothing bothers her.”

Neecie Marie was bred by Jon A. Marshall and is out of Lode Lady, who is a half-sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike.

Pedigree notes from the TDN

Spendthrift sire Cross Traffic also counts as graded winners champion 2-year-old filly Jaywalk, GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes hero Defining Purpose and gone-too-soon MGSW Maple Leaf Mel. The winner’s dam is responsible for 2- year-old filly in-training Serious Lady (Honest Mischief) and she foaled a colt by Mo Donegal Feb. 29.