Back at home, Apple Picker rallies late to score in Skipat

BALTIMORE, Md. – Apple Picker returned to her favorite state and returned to the winner's circle, rallying late to splash home to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Skipat Stakes for fillies and mares sprinting on Saturday at Pimlico

Apple Picker ($8.40) is based at Fair Hill Training Center, about an hour north of Pimlico, with Brittany Russell, and was ridden to victory by the trainer's husband, Sheldon Russell. The Connect filly, a homebred for Michael Dubb, had mixed results in two graded stakes starts this year prior to the Skipat. She won the Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie in February at Laurel Park; but then finished fourth in the Grade 3 Distaff in April at Aqueduct. Brittany Russell said she was drawing a line through that effort because the late-running Apple Picker did not get an ideal pace setup – the opening half of the Distaff was more than two second slower than the same split of the Fritchie.

In the Skipat, Apple Picker got her ideal setup. Although she and Sheldon Russell were still fifth at the quarter pole, more than five lengths back to leader Sweet Shild O Mine, with Swall pressing on her outside, had raced through the opening half in 46.72 seconds – an honest split considering the muddy, sealed track.

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“It set up great for her,” Brittany Russell said. “You always worry on a day when there is moisture in the racetrack, sometimes it favors speed. But she is a tough filly and she’ll kind of run through anything.”

Swall took over in upper stretch, but only briefly held the lead, as Apple Picker, tipped to the outside for clear sailing, powered through the stretch and was opening up at the wire.

“She’s the type of filly that if you get her clear and show her some running space, she’s going to do her best, and she did that today,” Sheldon Russell said.

The final time for the six furlongs was 1:12.34.

Late Frost saved ground on the rail throughout, then made a bold course-altering move in midstretch to rally between horses. She could not sustain that momentum, checking in third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Swall.

After the top three came Royal Poppy, who improved from last after an awkward start; post-time favorite Disco Ebo, who faded after stalking in third early; the fading Sweet Shild O Mine; and Anonymously.

Brittany Russell said that the Alma North Stakes, on July 28 at Laurel Park, could be a summer target in Maryland.

“She likes being home,” the trainer said.

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