Brownie Points wins Martha Washington

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Brownie Points split horses inside the final furlong and went on to a two and three-quarter length win in the $50,000 at Oaklawn Park on Friday.

The one-mile race is the first of two local preps for the Grade 2, $250,000 Fantasy.

Brownie Points ($28.80) raced about six lengths off the lead, as Sweet Sugaree led the field of 12 through fractions of 22.92 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.46 for the half-mile mark, and 1:12.93 for six furlongs. Brownie Points continued to advance along the rail, moved out a path approaching the quarter pole and accelerated in the stretch. She covered the distance in 1:39.69.

Luis Quinonez rode the winner for trainer Donnie Von Hemel.

"Luis just rode an excellent race," said Von Hemel. "He got through traffic, got through when he needed to, and the filly was there when he needed her."

Sweet Sugaree finished second, a length and three-quarters in front of third-place finisher Nat Kan Do. Baghdaria, the Grade 3 Silverbulletday winner who was chasing her fourth straight win, finished sixth as the favorite in the Martha Washington.

Brownie Points earned $30,000 for the win, which was her second victory in a stakes and third win overall. From six career starts she has earned $75,350. She is a 3-year-old daughter of Forest Wildcat and she races for her breeder, Pin Oak Stable.

Von Hemel said Brownie Points would now be pointed for the $75,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn on March 25.