Meah-trained Totally Justified upsets Lush Lips in Ellis Park Turf
Edited Ellis Park stakes recap (Coady Media/Cady Coulardot photo above)
HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026) – Payson Stud’s Totally Justified caught 1-2 favorite Lush Lips (GB) in deep stretch to spring a 6-1 upset in Sunday’s 22nd running of the $152,775 Ellis Park Turf Stakes at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by Anna Meah, Totally Justified was ridden to victory by Joe Bealmear and stopped the timer in 1:40.60 for 1 1/16 miles over the firm turf.
“We were very confident going into her previous race; she had been training exceptionally well,” Meah said in a text Sunday, referencing Totally Justified’s victory in an Ellis Park allowance race. “After securing that win, she carried the same positive, momentum going into today’s stakes win. Her morning workouts have been very impressive, and there was absolutely no doubt in our minds that she was going to run a big race today. Joe Bealmear couldn’t have done a better job with her, and we are just so grateful to Payson Stud to have the opportunity to train such a talented filly.”
Ellis Park starter Todd Stephens caught the field in a clean line, with Lush Lips breaking sharply and moving to the lead entering the first turn while She’s On a Roll showed speed to her inside. Lush Lips maintained a controlled pace through an opening quarter-mile in :24.03 as Just Ruthless applied mild pressure to her outside. While the main pacesetters jockeyed for position up front, Totally Justified settled in sixth and saved ground along the rail.
Lush Lips continued to lead through a half-mile in :48.55 and six furlongs in 1:11.87 before kicking a length clear at the quarter pole. Totally Justified tipped outside entering the stretch, closed strongly through the lane and ran down Lush Lips in the final strides to win by one length.
“I was confident the entire way,” Bealmear said. “Before I could decide which path to take, she found it herself. She’s such a nice horse. She’s completely transformed and does everything you ask her to do. I trust her a lot, and it worked out today.
“I really want to dedicate this win to Robby Albarado, who passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was my mentor and taught me everything I know about riding. I hope he’s watching from above and is proud of this one.”
It was 2 ¼ lengths back to Just Ruthless in third. She was followed by Icona (IRE), She’s On a Roll, Next Up, Sanctify, Daisy Flyer, Asteria and Devassa.
Sent off at odds of 6-1, Totally Justified returned $15.24.
With her victory in the Ellis Park Turf, Totally Justified earned $104,038 and improved her record to 17-3-2-2 with earnings of $477,142.
Totally Justified is a 4-year-old daughter of Justify out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Outstanding (IRE). She was bred in Kentucky by Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt.
Sunday was the final day of Ellis Park’s 25-day season. Live racing will return to Henderson in July, 2027. For more information on racing and gaming from Ellis Park, visit www.ellisparkowensborogaming.com.
