Former $10,000 claimer Fille d'Esprit and multiple graded stakes-placed Ny Traffic turned in sharp performances in their respective victories in Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Series (MATCH) competition Friday, June 17, at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pa.
The pair of $100,000 stakes—the Susquehanna Valley (Filly and Mare Sprint—Dirt division) and the Chocolatetown (3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt division)—wrapped up the second of five legs in the 2022 MATCH Series.
Fille d'Esprit, owned by CJI Phoenix Group and No Guts No Glory Farm, was claimed for $10,000 in August 2020 by trainer John Robb for her current connections. Since that time, the 6-year-old Maryland-bred mare by Great Notion has won seven times with two victories, two seconds and one third—in a Grade 3—in stakes company.
With regular rider Xavier Perez aboard, Fille d'Esprit broke alertly in the six-furlong Susquehanna Valley and sat just off front-running Hey Mamaluke through quick early fractions in a six-horse field. She took over in hand on the far turn and gradually pulled away to a 2 1/4-length victory in 1:09.38 on a track rated fast.
Cinnabunny, who tracked in third for most of the way, rallied mildly for second while favored Kaylasaurus closed from fifth early to finish third. Fille d'Esprit returned $6.20 to win.
“Everything played out the way John planned,” Perez said.
“I'm so proud of her,” said Robb's wife, Gina. “We were really confident going in to the race tonight.”
John Robb said the July 16 Alma North Stakes at Laurel Park, where Fille d'Esprit is stabled, is penciled in for the mare's next start. It is the third leg of the MATCH Series division. Fille d'Esprit, who has earned $353,726, now has 10 points after her first start in this year's series.
Kaylasaurus, owned by Bush Racing Stable, Liberty House Racing, BlackRidge Stables and George Saufley, picked up five more points with her Susquehanna finish and currently leads the division standings with 15 points. She, too, is being pointed to the 6 1/2-furlong Alma North.
Ny Traffic got a similar trip in the six-furlong Chocolatetown. The 5-year-old Cross Traffic horse broke well from the outside post in a field of nine, quickly engaged widest of all on the far turn under Edwin Gonzalez and fought hard to put away a stubborn Beren, who had the early lead. Ny Traffic finished a half-length in front of Beren, with longshot Dontmesawithme a fast-closing third. The final time was 1:09.64 on a track rated fast.
Ny Traffic, the heavy favorite, returned $3 to win. He is currently based at Belmont Park with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. for owners John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, Paul Braverman and Team Hanley.
Before an eighth-place finish in the 2020 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby (run in September that year), Ny Traffic was second in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and Grade 3 Matt Win Stakes. In 2022, he now has three victories in sprint stakes.
Ny Traffic's earnings now stand at $873,340 in 19 starts. He picked up 10 points for the Chocolatetown score is now tied with Disco Pharoah at the top of the division standings.
The MATCH Series will resume at Laurel Saturday, July 16 with stakes for all four divisions.
The post Fille D’Esprit, Ny Traffic Take MATCH Series Sprints At Penn National appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
