Akronism catches My Sister Sue

BALTIMORE Although not previously known as being very effective coming from off the pace, Akronism persevered for the length of the stretch and managed to reel in My Sister Sue to win Saturdays $75,000 Skipat Stakes at Pimlico.

My Sister Sue ran an enterprising race in the Skipat, quickly opening a clear lead through fast fractions of 22.23 seconds and 44.27. Despite the quick pace, My Sister Sue looked in upper stretch like she might succeed in stealing the sprint. But Akronism, who raced in the second flight early behind the loose leader, began to gradually cut into My Sister Sues lead.

When we came into the stretch, I saw [My Sister Sue] in front of us, I asked her, and she started to give me a big, big run, said Pablo Morales, Akronisms jockey. I know that the stretch is very long here, so I kept going with her. She really, really gave me a big run.

Akronism caught My Sister Sue a few strides before the wire to score by a neck as the narrow favorite over Drama Lady at 2-1. Acinonyx was 2 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up in third, with Drama Lady, who never mounted a threat, another 4 1/2 lengths back in fourth.

Akronism, who paid $6, raced the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.76, which compared well to the final time of 1:09.56 for the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Handicap for males two races earlier. Akronism is a 4-year-old daughter of Not for Love, owned and bred by Robert S. Evans and trained by Tim Ritchey.