LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Einstein, emerging as one of the top grass horses this season, captured the $548,300 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic today on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.

Einstein won his second Grade 1 stakes of the year with a strong stretch run, improving his career mark to 8-for-18. The 6-year-old trained by Helen Pitts and ridden by Robby Albarado took control in midstretch and held off Out of Control by 1 length with Artiste Royal third.

"This year, he's just double game," Albarado said. "He's doing things easy. He's willing and able."

Einstein paid $6.40 to win as the 2-1 favorite. The time was 1:50.50 for the 1 1-8 miles on the good course.

In other undercard stakes, Intangaroo surged through the lane for the upset, beating Baroness Thatcher by a head in the $334,800 Humana Distaff.

The improving 4-year-old earned her second Grade 1 victory in the past three starts, having captured the Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita in February.

Alonso Quinonez was aboard for trainer Gary Sherlock as Intangaroo swung to the far outside to get her fourth win in 11 starts.

"She ran a great race," Quinonez said. "I was very patient, and I knew I could be with the long stretch."

The time was 1:22.03 for the seven furlongs as she paid $30 to win.

It was a disappointing effort for Sugar Swirl, the 2-1 favorite who brought a four-stakes winning streak into the race. She finished fifth after chasing the early pace set by third-place finisher Hystericalady, who won this race last year.

Bayou's Lassie held off a strong stretch challenge from Dreaming of Anna to capture the $169,050 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. Edgar Prado guided Bayou's Lassie right to the lead with Dreaming of Anna, the 2006 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, following in second. They battled through the lane with Bayou's Lassie prevailing by 1¼ lengths for her ninth win in 16 starts.

The 5-year-old ran the mile in 1:37.70, paying $26.20 to win.

Elite Squadron posted a front-running 4½-length win over Noonmark in the $282,000 Churchill Downs Stakes. The 4-year-old colt had the rail with John Velazquez aboard and they took advantage of the inside position to control the race.

Elite Squadron, trained by James Baker, bounced back from a narrow defeat in the Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland last month to earn his fifth win in 12 starts. He ran the 7 furlongs in 1:21.53, paying $10.80 to win.

Velazquez also captured the $168,450 La Troienne Stakes for 3-year-old fillies with Game Face. Velazquez saved all the ground, slipping inside the tiring pacesetter Secret Gypsy in the stretch to get her third win in six starts. Game Face edged Keep the Peace by a neck with Tiz To Dream third.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Game Face ran the 7½ furlongs in 1:28.44, returning $5.60.