Churchill Downs witnessed California invader Look Forward capture the GII Eight Belles Stakes Friday, just moments before racing was interrupted by severe weather.
The daughter of Bolt d’Oro completed her journey east with a convincing victory, crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths ahead of her closest competitor as ominous storms approached the historic track.
Officials barely managed to complete the race before the worst weather rolled in, with papers flying across the track as heavy rain and winds descended upon the sea of pink-clad attendees in Louisville. Post times for the following GIII Unbridled Sidney Stakes and GI Kentucky Oaks were subsequently delayed.
Look Forward carries the same colors as GI Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, who claimed the nation’s top prize at Churchill Downs 13 years ago. She was piloted by Umberto Rispoli, who will ride the expected favorite in Saturday’s 151st Kentucky Derby.
The 7-1 shot entered the Eight Belles following a disappointing sixth-place finish in the GI Ashland Stakes on April 7. That performance followed another troubled outing in the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn on February 23, where she bobbled at the start in a race won by Kentucky Oaks contender and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Quietside.
Racing close to the pace in third position behind fractions of :21.92 and :44.17, Look Forward navigated through traffic to take command nearing the furlong marker. She maintained her advantage through the stretch after six furlongs in 1:08.80, holding firm to the wire.
Blue Fire (Aurelius Maximus) secured second place, while Evanescence (Munnings) rallied from far back to claim third.
👀 Look Forward, looks to the wire and takes the G2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs!
She is trained by Michael McCarthy and was ridden by @umbyrispoli! 🤩
🎥TwinSpiresRacing pic.twitter.com/rdYHZUqsBq
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires)
👀 Look Forward, looks to the wire and takes the G2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs!
She is trained by Michael McCarthy and was ridden by May 2, 2025
Pedigree Notes
The winner is a half-sister to multiple Listed winner Amidst Waves (Midshipman), who earned graded stakes placing in last year’s GIII Soaring Softly Stakes. Their dam’s most recent offspring to reach racing age is juvenile filly Classic Chaos (Classic Empire).
Troublesome has a yearling colt by Yaupon and is currently awaiting her 2025 foal by Flightline. This represents the extended female family of multiple stakes winner Chasing Liberty (Constitution).
Look Forward completed the seven furlongs in 1:22.36 over a fast track, earning $351,400 for owner Reddam Racing LLC. The Michael McCarthy trainee was a $285,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale.
The victory marked Look Forward’s first graded stakes win and improved her career record to three wins from six starts with earnings of $505,675.
Blue Fire, a $100,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton July Sale, earned her first graded black type for owners Stonestreet Stables LLC and Peter Leidel. Evanescence, representing Green Lantern Stables LLC, also secured her first graded stakes placing.
