California Invader Liberal Lady Scores Shantel Lanerie

Liberal Lady with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard wins the 5th running of the Shantel Lanerie Memorial STakes at Fair Grounds.  Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

New Orleans, La (March 23, 2025) –Capping off a five-win day for the leading rider of Fair Grounds 153rd meet, Jose Ortiz piloted Naify Marsha’s Liberal Lady to her first stakes win in the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial, the finale on Sunday’s closing day card. 

Shipping in from Leonard Powell’s barn in California, the Louisiana-bred 5-year-old covered the 1 mile 70 yards in 1:42.69. 

“She broke really clean but (Norah G) wanted the lead so I gave it to her,” Ortiz said. “(Norah G) was going faster than I wanted, so I took my filly back and she relaxed nicely. I asked her at the 3/8ths pole and she was there for me every step of the way so I just timed my move to take the lead at the 1/8th pole.”

Clearly a Test ran late to finish 3 lengths back in second. Certified Gem won the race over Dixie Farmer for third.

Liberal Lady paid $11.40, $5.60, and $3.80.

With the Shantell Lanerie, Liberal Lady’s lifetime record is now 16-3-3-2 with $192,840 in career earnings. The daughter of Mor Spirit out of the Trippi mare Cut Class Trip was bred by Coteau Grove Farms in Louisiana.