Lorelei Lei made her Stakes debut a winning one, going wire-to-wire to win the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks by three-quarters of a length at Turfway Park on Saturday, March 21.
The three-year-old filly by Nyquist, who was also trying two turns for the first time, had to outsprint favored Resplendence for the lead heading into the clubhouse turn, but once she did that, the race was secured.
Lorelei Lee was able to take a nice breather through the middle stages and galloped along under a nice long hold, cruising through the half mile in a moderate :49.77. Resist and Lovely Grey emerged as final-furlong threats, but Lorelei Lee stuck her neck out to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Trainer Mike Maker confirmed that she would be supplemented to the G1 Kentucky Oaks, which would mark her first start on a conventional dirt track.
Bred in Kentucky by Hot Pink Stables and out of the Tapit mare, Marilyn Monroan, Lorelei Lee is a half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes winner, Somelikeithotbrown (Big Brown), and to Stakes winner, Jolting Joe (Mission Impazible).
Lorelei Lee was the second Stakes winner of the card for Nyquist, joining Stylish Sue, winner of the Latonia Stakes. Nyquist is off to a hot start in 2026, with seven Stakes winners to his credit, including Graded Stakes winners Knightsbridge (G3 Mr. Prospector, G3 Fred W. Hooper), Iron Honor (G3 Gotham Stakes), and David of Athens (G3 Jebel Ali Mile).
Nyquist is standing the 2026 season at Jonabell Farm for $175,000, stands and nurses.
