By Randy Monk
sports.desk@theindependent.com

Lovesablumin, ridden by Beth Butler, ran second for most of the first half mile behind fast splits set by Rare Crystal.

Mike Ziegler sent Rare Crystal to a three-length lead on the backstretch, as she carved out the first four furlongs in a quick 47 seconds flat.

Hemmer and Butler's gameplan was to break quickly, but not necessarily to go to the front.

"I told Beth to send her right away," Hemmer said. "If someone else wanted the lead, don't duel, just layoff and play catch her if you can."

Lovesablumin and Butler reeled in the speedy Rare Crystal at the far turn, but still had a challenge from Salty Attraction in the stretch.

It was at the turn and in the stretch that Butler switched to a left-hand stick on her mount.

"She (Lovesablumin) wanted to lay-in a little bit towards Rare Crystal," Butler said. "I went to work on her with my left hand to keep her from lugging in, and it woke her up a little. Then she rebroke for me."

Lovesablumin was able to hold off the fast-charging Salty Attraction in the stretch to post a 1 1/2 length win, with Rare Crystal third, and Nikki Nine fourth.

Hemmer's star mare covered the six furlong distance in a quick 1:13, and paid $4.80 for the win. The Lovesablumin/Salty Attraction exacta returned $7.40.

Hemmer was full of praise for both Lovesablumin and Butler after the race.

"First of all, Beth just did a wonderful job on her," Hemmer said. "For never having been on her back until today, she rode her perfectly."

Lovesablumin brought the pride out in Hemmer's voice.

"She tries her little heart out every time she's on the racetrack," Hemmer said. "She beat some really nice horses today. Hopefully she comes out fine, and maybe we'll look at next month's Swihart Stakes for her."

The stakes win was worth $7,080 for Hemmer and Lovesablumin, increasing her lifetime earnings to just over $87,000.

Hoofprints

Butler and Yuri Yaranga continued their hot duel on the top of the jockey standings as each rider had two wins on the day.

---Joining Butler and Yaranga was Larren Delorme who had two winners on the day.

---For the third straight day, 10 different trainers won races on the card.

---With a fourth place finish, Nikki Nine increased her lifetime earnings to over $100,000.

---The Graham Motion trained Adriano stamped itself as a player in the Triple Crown, as Edgar Prado guided the three-year-old colt to victory in the $500,000 Lanes End Stakes at Turfway Park.