Astrollinthepark wins stakes debut in Austintown Filly Sprint

Astrollinthepark won her third straight race and her stakes debut Saturday at Mahoning Valley, leading most of the way in the $75,000 Austintown Filly Sprint and prevailing by two lengths over Crabcakes. Astrollinthepark ($3.20) was heavily favored in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies, while Crabcakes was the second choice at just over 2-1.

Astrollinthepark dueled for the lead with Ivy’s College Fund through a quarter-mile in 23.35 seconds before building a two-length advantage through a half-mile in 46.16 and preserving her lead to the wire, finishing the six-furlong test on a fast track in 1:11.73. Mitchell Murrill was aboard for trainer Larry Jones and owner Dreamchaser Thorobreds. The filly by Divine Park has three wins and a runner-up finish in four starts for $101,740 in earnings.

"This filly has a lot of talent," Murrill said. "She is a great big filly and broke just a bit awkwardly but was right up on the bridle in the matter of a few strides and did the rest. She dragged me to the lead heading into the turn, and all I did was give her a couple of left-handed reminders in midstretch to keep her focused."

Crabcakes began her career with three straight wins for trainer Bernard Houghton and owner Buckingham Farm, including a score over fellow Maryland-breds in the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship at Laurel Park in December. She’s finished second in her last two starts, including a loss to China Grove in the $75,000 Wide Country Stakes at Laurel in February.

Earlier on the card, Coincidentally ($7.60) romped by six lengths as the slight favorite in the $75,000 Howard B. Noonan Stakes, a six-furlong test for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds, with second choice Hansenation finishing a neck ahead of Mr Giggles for second.

Jaime Rodriguez rode the winner, a Super Saver gelding who finished in 1:12.43. Trained by Timothy Hamm for owners and breeders WinStar Farm and Blazing Meadows Farm, Coincidentally has won four of seven starts and earned $105,225.