Gordon still smiling despite Filly's Kentucky failure behind Coronel

Report: USA, Saturday

Keeneland: Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Grade 1) 1m1f | turf | 3yo fillies

Josephine Gordon said she enjoyed her US debut at Keeneland on Saturday – even though her mount Unforgetable Filly faded to finish last of ten behind all-the-way winner La Coronel (Mark Casse/Jose Lezcano) in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Fifth behind Winter in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, La Coronel is now unbeaten in three starts at Keeneland. She was sent straight to the lead in the $500,000 contest and was able to set leisurely fractions before holding off Daddys Lil Darling by a half-length.

Unforgetable Filly, sent off a 34-1 longshot, raced in mid-division before being swamped in the Keeneland stretch.

"I really enjoyed my trip, really enjoyed the experience, and I'd really like to come back again as well," said last year's champion apprentice Gordon, who was riding for her boss Hugo Palmer.

"Unfortunately the ground, even though they’re calling it firm, it’s not the firm she’d be used to back in the UK. It was far too soft for her.

"She travelled nicely, but just turning into the home bend I knew I had nothing left to give, so she didn’t pick up. We’ll just put a line through that one."

Being 'ponied' to the start was a new experience for horse and rider as well. "That was the first time she's done it and I've done it," said Gordon.

"But she’s been doing it the last week when she’s been over here, and she actually seemed to love the pony she was with. It’s been a new experience for her as well as myself, and I’m just grateful the owners have supported me and let me keep the ride on her."

The QEII featured a field full of leading US three-year-old turf fillies, led by Breeders' Cup winner New Money Honey, who was a beaten favourite in sixth after exiting the widest gate.

La Coronel, a daughter of Colonel John owned by trainer Mark Casse's major patron John Oxley, was sent off just better than a 5-1 chance.

"She broke and was very comfortable so I let her be," reported Lezcano. "She was comfortable the whole way around."

Full result