BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Florida-bred Lennilu gave a good account of herself while representing the United States and the Sunshine State Thoroughbred industry with a solid third in the £150,000 (US$187,500) Queen Mary at Royal Ascot Wednesday.

Breaking from post 13 with jockey Luis Saez in the irons, Lennilu got off to a good start as Zelaina (GB) shot from post 15 to take a two-length lead in the first 100 yards. Zelaina continued to lead through the initial furlongs as Lennilu moved closer in second with Shine On Me (BG) trying to crowd the American filly from her right.

Closer to the finish, True Love (Ire) began making a run on the inside as Lennilu and Cardiff By The Sea (Ire) shook free from Shine On Me and passed Zelaina as Flowerhead (Ire) joined the contenders from the far outside.

True Love pulled away to clear lead nearing the wire to win by a length with Flowerhead second and Lennilu edging Cardiff By the Sea for third.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, True Love gave trainer Aiden O’Brien his first victory in the Queen Mary.

Trained by Patrick Biancone for Amy and Caitlin Dunne, Brenda Miley, Jean Wilkinson, Hoffman Family Racing, Tranquility Lake Farms, and Maury and Christopher Harrington, Lennilu lost for the first time in three starts.

She won a maiden special weight on debut at Keeneland on April 6 and the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream Park on May 10.

Lennilu is by Pleasant Acres Stallions leading first crop sire Leinster out of Lulu’s Pom Pom, by Pomeroy and now has earnings of $103,289. She was bred in Florida by Helen and Joseph Barbazon.

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