Bronx Beauty prevails in Jose L. Flores Memorial

The favored Bronx Beauty turned back a stern bid from Dixie Serenade in the final strides to capture the $100,000 Jose L. Flores Memorial Stakes under Frankie Pennington at Parx on Saturday.

The race is named for the late jockey Jose L. Flores, who died March 22, several days after a racing accident at the track.

Bootsy’s Hadenough set fractions of 22.24 and 45.63 seconds in the 6 1/2-furlong event for 3-year-old fillies, as Bronx Beauty stalked three wide while bumping repeatedly with Smokinpaddylassie.

Bronx Beauty joined Bootsy’s Hadenough up front on the outside before taking control in midstretch, and then held off a closing Dixie Serenade to prevail by a head in a time of 1:17.43.

Sweet Candy Dance was along for third, and Mary Costa checked in fourth, as Smokinpaddylassie faded to ninth in the 10-horse field.

A Pennsylvania-bred by Liaison, Bronx Beauty returned $5.80 and earned $60,000 for Two W’s Stables and trainer Anthony Margotta Jr.