Trainer Phil Bauer has had Saturday's $150,000 Mistletoe Stakes circled on his calendar for a while and his plan came together perfectly when Rigney Racing LLC's Mariah's Princess drew off to win the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies impressively at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Ark.
Ridden confidently by Martin Garcia throughout, Mariah's Princess sat right off of Lovely Ride through fractions of :24 2/5 and :49 2/5 for the first half mile before putting her head in front turning for home. The winner continued to edge clear of the field through the stretch, drawing off to win by three lengths over 8-5 favorite Amendment Nineteen in a final time of 1:44 over a fast track. Lovely Ride held on for third.
Mariah's Princess, a Ghostzapper filly, improved her record to 6-3-1-0 and has now earned $214,870. She returned $6.60, $3.40, and $3.00 as the 2-1 second choice in the field of eight. Marion Francis and Suki scratched.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. first post.
The post Mariah’s Princess Draws Off To Win Inaugural Running of Mistletoe Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
