Boston Post Road back to winner's circle in Pumpkin Pie
After suffering frustrating setbacks by margins of a neck each time in her previous two starts against allowance competition, Boston Post Road returned to the winner’s circle and did so while stepping back up against stakes company to register a three-quarter-length decision over Dr B in Saturday’s $120,000 Pumpkin Pie at Aqueduct.
Under patient handling by Flavien Prat, Boston Post Road contested the early pace while well reserved inside Oxana. Boston Post Road surged clear when roused by Prat upon settling into the stretch then readily withstood a late surge by Dr B. The latter moved to closer contention on the final turn, fanned a bit wide into the stretch and continued on willingly despite drifting some through mid-stretch although could not reach the winner while easily best of the others.
Oxana finished a tiring third, 7 3/4 lengths behind Dr B while the graded stakes winner Glass Ceiling, second choice in the wagering behind the odds-on Boston Post Road, was never a serious factor after breaking several lengths behind the field.
Boston Post Road, winless since capturing her 2022 debut at Belmont Park in early May, became a stakes winner for the first time by virtue of her performance in the seven-furlong Pumpkin Pie. Trained by Chad Brown for owner Peter Brant, Boston Post Road, a 4-year-old Quality Road filly, completed the distance over a fast track in 1:23.34 and paid $3.30.
“She’s been unlucky twice so it was good to get a win today,” said Prat. “She broke well and got us into the race. She was traveling really well and dug in when it was time to make a run. She was waiting a bit on horses, so as soon as she felt that horse -- [Dr B] -- she re-engaged."
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