DON’T Tell Lou Lou didn’t show much in her debut run over 5½ furlongs on December 2, 2023, racing off the pace on her way to a sixth-place finish by some 12¾ lengths behind Grecian Light.

Now taking orders from trainer Alford Brown, Don’t Tell Lou Lou looked a different animal when returning to competitive racing from a three-month layoff.

Don’t Tell Lou Lou earned her first win in the Ham Stables Limited (Champion Breeders for 2023), maiden special weight event for native-bred three-year-olds over 6½ furlongs (1,300m) on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

With Omar Walker in the saddle, Don’t Tell Lou Lou showed improved tactical speed, setting fractions of 25.3 x 50.3 x 1:17.4 on a comfortable lead. She edged clear of rivals approaching the distance but had to hold off fast-finishing newcomer King Piye (Robert Halledeen) by a head at the wire.

Hickory Slim (Dane Dawkins), who was prominent throughout, was a further 5½ lengths adrift in third place.

“To be honest with you, the performance and the win were pleasing, especially for the owner [Norris Phinn]. It was a case in which this horse was suspended for 90 days because of a misunderstanding, and the owner spoke to me and asked if I could take over the services, and I did,” Brown told The Supreme Racing Guide of the Jamaica Observer.

He continued: “I then started to prepare her, and she responded well. She looked fairly fluent in the mornings and so I did expect a good run from her.

“I was a bit afraid of Anthony Nunes’ horse [King Piye] but we got a little racing luck. We added Lasix, and we put on the blinkers on her, and I guess that did it. We are going to take it day by day with her and see how she develops.”