Fantasia runs second on US debut

Fantasia beaten a neck on US debut on Sunday

Report: USA, Saturday

Keeneland

ONE-TIME Luca Cumani Classic hope Fantasia finished second to Keertana (Tom Proctor/Garrett Gomez) on her US debut in allowance company on the turfat Keeneland on Sunday.

Now trained by Jonathan Sheppard, owner George Strawbridge's daughter of Sadler's Wells was sent off 19-10 favourite for the $67,000 event.

After taking a while to get the hang of things, Fantasia was left with too much to do before finishing nicely four wide in the stretch.

Last year's Nell Gwyn winner went down by a neck to 9-2 chance Keertana, a four-year-old who could be headed for a Grade2 event at Churchill Downs on May 1.

Stardom Bound, US champion two-year-old filly of 2008, was fifth on her turf debut after attempting to employ her usual come-from-behind tactics.