Blazing Bling turns tables on Pyrite Blues in Mackey Memorial

Blazing Bling was no match for Pyrite Blues in each of her first two starts this season at ThistleDown, finishing second both times at short odds of 8-5 and 7-5. Saturday, the 5-year-old Blazing Bling turned the tables in the $75,000 Michael Mackey Memorial Angenora Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares.

Stalking the early pace from third under Hector Rosario, Blazing Bling ($9.40) launched a three-wide move on the backstretch, challenged 20-1 outsider Floral Sky turning for home, and drew clear by about two lengths in the six-furlong sprint. The winning time was 1:11.64.

It was the fourth stakes victory and ninth overall win for Blazing Bling, trained by Tim Hamm for Blazing Meadow Farm, Top Notch Racing, and Sheltowee Farm. She has earned $336,855.

Pyrite Blues, sent off the 3-5 favorite on the basis of back-to-back wins within a 19-day span in May, edged Needmore Flattery by a half-length for second. She did well to get second after jockey Ricardo Feliciano had to check at the half-mile pole and again entering the stretch. Needmore Flattery, the two-time Ohio-bred Horse of the Year, is now 0 for 2 in 2015 after winning six stakes last season.