Cloe rolls to Hummingbird win; Fanshell Beach beats boys in Riverside Rush

Ellis Park stakes recaps by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media/Cady Coulardot photo above of the Mike Maker-trained Cloe winning the Hummingbird under Ben Curtis)

CLOE RALLIES LATE TO WIN $225,000 HUMMINGBIRD

HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026) – Lugamo Racing Stable’s Cloe produced a strong stretch rally to win Saturday’s eighth running of the $225,000 Hummingbird presented by Sterling Industrial (Listed) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.

On Kentucky HBPA Youtube: Interview with Ben Curtis after Cloe’s victory

Trained by Mike Maker, Cloe was ridden to victory by Ben Curtis and stopped the timer in 1:02.43 for 5 ½ furlongs over the yielding turf.

“The key was getting her comfortable,” Curtis said. “I left her there in a nice spot. She made a nice, sustained run and got the job done.”

It was a good start to the Hummingbird where Itzel was hustled to the lead with Buttercream Babe tracking from second through an opening quarter-mile in :21.74. Cloe was positioned fifth early and remained there as Itzel completed a half-mile in :44.46. Itzel entered the stretch with a two-length advantage but Cloe began closing quickly down the center of the course and drew away late to win by 2 ¾  lengths.

It was a head back to Lovely Emma in third. She was followed by Big Trouble, Buttercream Babe, Shirley Ann and SatinBlue.

Cloe returned $9.32.

Cloe is a 4-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law out of the Smart Strike mare Nuhood. She was bred in Kentucky by Crosshaven Bloodstock.

Summer Showcase weekend continues Sunday with a 10-race card that begins at 11:50 a.m. CT.

For the latest information on racing and gaming from Ellis Park, visit www.ellisparkowensborogaming.com.

FANSHELL BEACH LEADS AN ALL FILLY TOP 2 IN THE $200,000 RIVERSIDE RUSH – Hat Creek Racing’s Fanshell Beach turned back a late bid from fellow filly Crack On to win Saturday’s first running of the $200,000 Riverside Rush presented by Sterling Industrial at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.

On Kentucky HBPA Youtube: Hear from Yedsit Hazlewood and owner Gatewood Bell

Trained by Wesley Ward, Fanshell Beach was ridden to victory by Yedsit Hazlewood and stopped the timer in 1:03.79 for 5 ½ furlongs over the yielding turf.

Fanshell Beach broke sharply and quickly took command with Super Saiyajin pressing to her outside through an opening quarter-mile in :21.73. Fanshell Beach maintained a narrow advantage through a half-mile in :45.38 as Hey Tuff Guy began to rally three-wide and Tolstoy advanced along the rail. Those rivals began to tire in midstretch, while Crack On rallied along the inside but could not catch Fanshell Beach, who prevailed by a half-length.

“She’s a classy filly,” Hazlewood said. “She broke well, and I’m happy to get the job done.”

It was 1 ½ lengths back to Good to Be King in third. He was followed by Tolstoy, American Pope, Arctic Wolf, Hey Tuff Guy, Red Sun, Fortune King, Issachar and Super Saiyajin.

Sent off as the 9-5 favorite, Fanshell Beach returned $5.72.

With her victory in the Riverside Rush, Fanshell Beach earned $118,280.

Fanshell Beach is a 2-year-old daughter of Corniche out of the Unusual Heat mare Pacific Heat. She was bred in Kentucky by Betz Thoroughbreds Inc., D.J. Stables, Brian Graves and Gainesway.