Winchell Thoroughbreds' classy homebred Wicked Halo pressed by Non Violence through the final sixteenth before edging clear to win Sunday's inaugural running of the $125,000 Twin Bridges Stakes at Ellis Park.
Cristian Torres rode Wicked Halo for trainer Steve Asmussen. The 4-year-old Gun Runner filly completed six furlongs in 1:10.36.
The compact field of five fillies and mares broke well, but it was Dealing Justice who was hustled hard for the early lead under Martin Garcia. She was pressed to her outside by Non Violence and jockey Rey Gutierrez while heavily favored Wicked Halo sat just off the front-running duo through an opening quarter mile in :22.99.
Around the turn, Non Violence passed the tiring Dealing Justice while Wicked Halo continued her wide journey with closer Last Leaf improving her early position at the rail. In the stretch, Torres asked Wicked Halo for her best run while Non Violence and Gutierrez continued to fight hard to her inside. Just inside the final sixteenth, Wicked Halo dug down deep to get by Non Violence and score a 1¼-length victory.
Wicked Halo, who is out of the Tapit mare Just Wicked, banked $76,500 for her victory in the Twin Bridges. A multiple graded stakes winner, she sports an impressive record of 8-2-4 from 15 career starts and purse earnings of $1,297,700.
She returned $2.42 for the victory.
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