Courtesy of the TDN

It looked like Five Star Momma had the race in her back pocket when they hit the eighth pole, but 17-1 Flashy Lassie had other ideas. Geared up on the far outside, the bargain FTKOCT yearling came charging as the wire loomed to get up for a narrow victory. She becomes the first stakes winner for her freshman sire (by Holy Bull), and gave trainer Garry Simms a reason to smile.

Simms, who has been battling melanoma since 2010, said, “I’ve had two bone marrow transplants and stem cells since December, but I’m doing well now.” He added, “She’s a nice filly, has a ton of heart and does everything right.”

Flashy Lassie opened her account with a nine-length tally against $20,000 maiden claimers under the Twin Spires May 13. Her dam, Lemon Pop Lassie, was bought by breeder Hugh King III for $40,000 as a KEESEP yearling, but failed to hit the board in three career starts. Flashy Lassie is her first foal.

King, a Lexington native, worked on horse farms in Kentucky before starting his own commercial breeding operation in 1974. He operated Kings Way Farm near Paris for many years, but sold the farm and reduced the broodmare band from a high of 30, and now has three mares. Lemon Pop Lassie has a yearling filly by Artie Schiller and a filly of 2011 by U S Ranger.

FLASHY LASSIE, f, 2, by Flashy Bull -Lemon Pop Lassie, by Lemon Drop Kid is owned by Barry L King and was bred by Mr & Mrs Hugh G King.

Lifetime:Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $77,211