Athena remains sharp in American Beauty victory
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Athena continued her emotional Oaklawn meet on Saturday, when she won her second race of the season in the $125,000 American Beauty Stakes. She had captured an opening-day allowance Jan. 13 in her first start since the death of her co-owner, Clifford Grum.
Grum’s wife, Mary, has continued to race Athena, who shuttled to a three-quarter length win over Marquee Miss. Marquee Miss was disqualified from second and placed sixth for stretch interference. The action by the stewards elevated A Gala Day to second and D R C’s Pretty Sky, third, in the American Beauty.
Athena ($9.20) was content to stalk the pace, as Super Saks set fractions of 22.23 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.27 for the half-mile. Athena went on to cover six furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:10.65. Joe Rocco Jr. was aboard for trainer Helen Pitts-Blasi.
Athena has now won 7 of 20 starts. She earned $75,000 for her win in the American Beauty to improve her bankroll to $402,697. Athena is a 5-year-old by Street Sense and was bred in Kentucky by Gary L. Chervenell.