Frosh filly pacers sharp in International Stallions

Parlee Beach got good early position and then was able to rally back to win the first of three divisions of the $256,000 International Stallion Stakes (ISS) for 2-year-old filly pacers Friday afternoon at The Red Mile. Authorize came flying late to win the second division, with Hit The Curb capturing the third split..

 

In the first $85,000 ISS division, Ron Pierce left from post three with Parlee Beach and had the lead at the opening quarter of :27.3, but Tim Tetrick moved Nikki Beach from third to first at the three-eighths. The even-money favorite, Nikki Beach led through a :55.4 half and 1:24 three-quarters, but she was unable to fend off the stretch charge of Parlee Beach, who moved past in midstretch to score in 1:51. Miss Madi M and David Miller finished third.

 

Trained by Bob McIntosh, the winner is a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and an $80,000 yearling purchase by Patrick Ryan. The win was her fourth in nine starts, missing her career best by just one-fifth of a second. Parlee Beach increased her earnings to $280,947 with the victory.

 

"She's a pretty special filly," McIntosh said in the winner's circle, adding that after a dry spell in form she "seems to be moving in the right direction now."

 

Brian Sears cleared to the lead with favorite I Luv The Nitelife at the opening quarter of :27 in the second $85,000 ISS split, but after leading through a half in :54.3 and three-quarters in 1:23.1, where she fended off a first-over bid by the Tetrick-driven Want Answers, she was caught in deep stretch by the fast-moving Authorize and driver Dave Palone in 1:51.1. Mattie Terror Girl, who was first to the front at the start for Jody Jamieson, finished third.

 

Tony Alagna trains the hombred daughter of Western Ideal for Brittany Farms and Brian P. Monieson Revtrust. The win was her fifth in 11 starts as well as a career best. Authorize boosted her earnings to $170,165 with the victory.

 

In the third $86,000 ISS division, New York Sires Stakes final third-place finisher made her first start outside the Empire State a winning one as she crossed the wire first in 1:51.2. Finishing second was Novascotia Hanover and Sears, with Art Ideal third for Yannick Gingras.

 

"She's got a lot of heart and ability, but she was her own worse enemy," said owner Skip Spring. "It was a matter of trying to get her relax and get her into a hole instead of going to the front end with her all the time. Today was the first day we did that."

 

An $80,000 yearling purchase, Hit The Curb is a daughter of Art Major out of the Jate Lobell mare Student Driver. The time was easily a career best, with the win being her third in eight starts. She now has earnings of $160,846. Hit The Curb is a half sister to the 2010 New Jersey Sires Stakes champion Lookinforadventure.