Informed Decision caught Secret Gypsy with a sixteenth of a mile remaining to win the $300,000, Grade 2 Lexus Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland.

The 3-year-old daughter of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Monarchos ran seven furlongs in 1:20.86, a record on the Polytrack surface.  The previous record of 1:21.05 was set by Carnacks Choice on April 7, 2007.

Secret Gypsy set a fast early pace but she was no match for Informed Decision, who rallied on the outside under John Velazquez.  Second-place Secret Gypsy was 4 ¼ lengths behind the winner and a neck in front of third-place Dubai Majesty.

“It worked out really well,” said Velazquez.  “We knew there was a lot of speed in the race.  We wanted to come out of there and get her in position where she was comfortable.  Once I got around the turn, I got a clear trip on her and was able to make sure she could get her momentum.”

Informed Decision won for the fifth time in seven career starts and increased her earnings to $336,587 with the winner’s purse of $186,000.  George Strawbridge, Jr.’s Augustin Stable owns the winner.  She is trained by Jonathan Sheppard.

“Johnny (Velazquez) gave her a perfect ride,” said Sheppard.  “It set up the way we expected, tuck in behind the speed horses and hopefully be able to ease out around them and not get trapped on the rail.”

Informed Decision paid $4.40, $3 and $2.60 as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 13 3-year-old fillies.  Secret Gypsy returned $4.20 and $3.80 and Dubai Majesty paid $9 to show.

In the supporting feature, Always First (GB) rallied from last place in a field of 10 distance specialists to win the $150,000, Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes by three-quarters of a length.

Still last with a half-mile remaining in the 1 ½-mile turf race, the 7-year-old son of Barathea moved along the rail under jockey Rene Douglas, split rivals at the top of the stretch and then moved back to the inside rail for his seventh career victory.

“I just let him feel comfortable the whole way,” said Douglas.  “I took my time.  When it was time to press the button, I did and he responded to me great.”

Transduction Gold, who was seeking his second consecutive win in the Sycamore, took the lead from Rumor Has It on the turn but couldn’t hold off Always First and finished second.  He was a neck in front of third-place Telling.

Always First, who returned to competition in September after being away from the races for more than a year, earned $93,000 for Charles Noell’s Merriefield Farm.  The winner is trained by Thomas Voss.

Always First increased his career earnings to $578,032 and paid $14.60.