BENSALEM, Pa.— Hillman Racing LLC’s two-year-old filly Midnight Parade made her stakes debut a winning one when capturing the $200,000 Imply at Parx September 24, kicking off the stakes action on $1,000,000 Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby Day.
The Pennsylvania-bred juvenile broke second-to-last from post position 1 in the eight-horse field, but soon advanced and intently stalked pacesetting Flor de Sombra. While the aforementioned filly, winner of the Miss Blue Tye Dye Stakes and heavily favored, raced through the quarter in 22.16 and the half in 45.17, Midnight Parade angled out and rolled past her in the stretch. Six furlongs went in 1:12.25 and Midnight Parade crossed the wire two lengths in front under jockey David Cora, her ears pricked.
Six-and-a-half furlongs over a fast main track was clocked in 1:19.41.
14-1 shot Pachelbell made a strong rally up the rail and loomed a threat, but wound up second best. A weakening Flor de Sombra held on for show. Following the top trio were Marion Grace, Uptown Amanda, Tempted to Touch, Freydis, and Winning Moon. Confirmed Star was scratched.
Payoffs for the top three finishers were 12.60, 10.80, and 2.20, respectively.
Conditioned by T. Bernard Houghton, Midnight Parade had just one start prior to her stakes success, drawing away to break her maiden by seven lengths at Penn National.
Bred by Elizabeth R. Houghton, the bay daughter of Grade 1 winner Hoppertunity is the first stakes winner for her sire. Now a perfect two-for-two, Midnight Parade has earned $133,938
By Amber Joyce, Contributing Editor
Main photo: Midnight Parade wins the $200,000 Imply (Joe Labozzetta/EQUI-PHOTO)
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