By Steve Sherack
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' On Time Girl (Not This Time) cut back in distance beautifully for a second graded stakes success in Friday's GII Eight Belles S. at Churchill Downs.
Drawn widest of all in post nine, the 9-5 favorite raced in striking distance in sixth through a half-mile in :45.48. She began to catch the eye while winding up four wide on the far turn and powered home down the center to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution).
A sharp winner of Gulfstream's GIII Forward Gal S. at this same seven-furlong distance Jan. 31, On Time Girl was a well-beaten third as the 4-5 favorite going a one-turn mile in the GII Davona Dale S. last time Feb. 28.
Winner of the Fern Creek S. here last fall, she is now three-for-three beneath the Twin Spires.
“We asked her to stretch out in distance and she gave us an honest effort,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I think one turn is what she's best at right now. She ran a big race today.”
Winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. added, “We got a beautiful trip. We were a little wide around the turn, but she really responded when I asked for her best. She is a nice filly.”
Pedigree Notes:
On Time Girl, a $375,000 RNA as a Keeneland September yearling, is one of 39 graded winners for superstar sire Not This Time. On Time Girl is a daughter of GIII Pocahontas S. winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies third-place finisher Girl Daddy (Uncle Mo), a $500,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Dennis Albaugh's operation. Girl Daddy produced a filly by Not This Time in 2025 and a filly by Flightline this year. On Time Girl is bred on the same Not This Time x Indian Charlie cross as GISW Sacred Wish. The Albaugh Family also owned and bred Not This Time, who concluded his career with a painful second in the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
On Time Girl wins the 71st Running of the Eight Belles presented by @Sysco! pic.twitter.com/ueIVovhD1Z
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 1, 2026
Friday, Churchill Downs
EIGHT BELLES S. PRESENTED BY SYSCO-GII, $680,000, Churchill Downs, 5-1, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.16, ft.
1–ON TIME GIRL, 120, f, 3, by Not This Time
1st Dam: Girl Daddy (GSW & GISP, $321,240), by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Cara Marie, by Unbridled's Song
3rd Dam: Miss Kilroy, by A.P. Indy
($375,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O/B-Albaugh Family Stables LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $417,120. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-1, $842,455. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Luv Your Neighbor, 118, f, 3, Constitution–Disobedient, by Into Mischief. ($350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Lael Stables; B-Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. & 552727 Ontario LTD. (ON); T-Michael Stidham. $115,200.
3–Paradise, 118, f, 3, Gun Runner–Venetian Harbor, by Munnings. ($700,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods; B-Ciaglia Racing, LLC, HNDEH & Domenic Savides (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $67,600.
Margins: 1HF, 1HF, 2. Odds: 1.96, 11.16, 9.76.
Also Ran: River Wind, Goodall, Sippin Pretty, Solemn Vow, Front Runnin, French Friction.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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