Consumer Credit holds off Pine Needles

Consumer Credit won the $100,000 Memories of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct on Thursday, but she had to work harder in the stretch than you would expect from a 1-2 shot.

Consumer Credit had to dig deep late in the 1 1/16-mile turf race to win by a neck over Pine Needles, who was moving best at the wire. The final time over a laboring surface rated yielding was 1:48.56.

Consumer Credit, a daughter of More Than Ready trained by Chad Brown, had the best credentials in the field coming into the Memories of Silver. She had won the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream Park in January and the Wait a While Stakes at Gulfstream Park West last November. In her start prior to the Memories of Silver, she had finished second in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs.

Been Here Before went to the front at the beginning of the Memories of Silver and set an easy opening quarter of 26.42 seconds. Consumer Credit was third early, but made a quick move to the lead soon after entering the backstretch, as jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. appeared to sense that the pace was slow.

Manuel Franco, aboard Been Here Before, was set on being in front, though, and retook the lead through a half in 52.59. Consumer Credit came back to take the lead while in hand nearing the stretch and drew clear.

Pine Needles, trained by Christophe Clement, had won both her prior starts over firm turf at Gulfstream. She raced in second position early and then third on the backstretch and far turn. She dug in with determination in the stretch and was slowly getting to the winner at the finish.

Kawfee Fa Marfa finished third, 4 1/4 lengths behind Pine Needles. Been Here Before tired to finish fifth and last.

Consumer Credit, now 4 for 7 with $255,000 in earnings, paid $3 to win.