A.P.'s Glory scores as heavy favorite in Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies

A.P.’s Glory came into the $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies on Saturday off an eye-catching 7 1/2-length debut win that earned her a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. She will return to Arlington Park trainer James DiVito’s barn a perfect 2 for 2 after posting a comfortable 1 1/2-length win as the 1-5 favorite.

Royal Song Dancer and Herman’s Wildcat engaged for the early lead with Herman’s Wildcat surging clear before hitting the far turn through a 22.03-second opening quarter. A.P’s Glory, meanwhile, settled several lengths behind the leaders.

A.P.’s Glory readily advanced towards Herman’s Wildcat on the turn under jockey Corey Nakatani, and took command nearing the stretch, with the half going in 46.01. At that point the Juvenile Fillies looked over, but Heart’s Song made things somewhat interesting with a nice finish to get within hailing distance nearing the sixteenth pole. She was unable to gain much from there but merits following in her next start.

It was 9 1/4 lengths back from Heart’s Song, a June maiden winner at Churchill Downs for trainer William Connelly, to Rachel’s Ready, who edged Pom Pom Pistol for third.

A.P.’s Glory was timed in 1:11.79 for six furlongs and paid $2.40

A.P.’s Glory was bred and is owned by Curtis Green. She is a daughter of Mineshaft out of the Honour and Glory mare Casino Glory. Green bred and raced Casino Glory, who was unable to win in five starts at Remington Park and Sunland Park. A.P.’s Glory is her first foal.

Hashtag Bourbon wins maiden in stakes

Hashtag Bourbon is fast late, not early.

He missed the break in his debut at Churchill Downs and then rallied from far back to be third. In the $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile, he broke with the field but was outrun early under Brian Hernandez, lodged his bid four wide on the far turn, and then drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

Gotta Get Paid and Super Siete set the early pace, getting a quarter in 22.17 seconds. Gotta get Paid took a clear lead on the turn while covering a half-mile in 45.99 but could offer little resistance when Hashtag Bourbon came calling approaching the stretch. He held second by 1 1/2 lengths over Duff, who saved ground in the second flight early.

Owned by Bourbon Lane Stable and trained by Kellyn Gorder, Hashtag Bourbon covered six furlongs over a fast track in 1:11.45 and paid $9.40 as the third choice in the seven-horse field. Hashtag Bourbon, a son of Super Saver, was purchased for $130,000 at the March Ocala Breeders sale.