(On Time Girl captures the Fern Creek Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday / All photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

ON TIME GIRL IMPRESSES IN $225,000 FERN CREEK

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025) – On Time Girl tracked pacesetter Solemn Vow before she put away that rival leaving the turn and drew off in the stretch for an impressive 3 ½-length win over 9-5 favorite Paige Turner in Saturday’s fifth running of the $225,000 Fern Creek for 2-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

On Time Girl, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., ran 6 ½ furlongs over a “fast” track in a stakes record 1:15.83, which bested Impulse Buy’s 2024 mark of 1:16.17.

“It was really nice to have a target to run at,” Ortiz Jr. said, referring to Solemn Vow, who clipped off early fractions of :23.04 and :46.08. “She’s a very nice filly and showed it today.”

The victory was worth $134,160 for owner Dennis Albaugh’s Albaugh Family Stables LLC and increased On Time Girl’s earnings to $315,525 with a record of 3-1-0 in four starts. She is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Not This Time out of the Uncle Mo mare Girl Daddy.

“I think the (six) post really helped her,” said Cox, who also won the 2023 Fern Creek withYoualmosthadme. “She was able to have a target to run out and sit just off of the leader. She was able to finish up well today. We may try to gradually stretch her out. I’m not certain she’s a mile-and-an-eighth horse but she’s honest and a good work horse.”

After winning her first two races – a six-furlong maiden special weight at Ellis Park in August and a six-furlong first-level allowance at Churchill Downs in September – On Time Girl finished second to A Fine Chardonnnay in the $250,000 Myrtlewood at Keeneland over six furlongs on Oct. 24.

Sent off as the 3-1 third betting choice, On Time Girl returned $8.22, $4.40 and $2.68. Paige Turner, who chased along inside down the backstretch under Jose Ortiz, paid $3.48 and $2.60 with a rallying A Fine Chardonnay another 3 ½ lengths back in third, who paid $2.86 to show at 3-1 under Tyler Gaffalione.

Solemn Vow, Go to Girl, Woodstock, Mackinac, I B Flyin and River Rise completed the order of finish. Have Faith was scratched.

FERN CREEK QUOTES

 

Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey, On Time Girl, winner: “It was really nice to have a target to run at. She’s a very nice filly and showed it today.”

Brad Cox, trainer, On Time Girl, winner: “I think the (six) post really helped her. She was able to have a target to run out and sit just off of the leader. She was able to finish up well today. We may try to gradually stretch her out. I’m not certain she’s a mile-and-an-eighth horse but she’s honest and a good work horse.”