Delaware: Ciguaraya closes out meet by winning Crowned

The 3-year-old filly Ciguaraya has been working out at Delaware Park since late August. But it took until closing day of the meet before she got a chance to run there.

Rallying from sixth, Ciguaraya took a 1 1/2-length lead at the eighth pole and hung on by a head over fast-closing Winiliscious to win the $50,000 Crowned Stakes for fillies and mares.

It was the third win in four starts for Ciguaraya ($22.40) since she was transferred from the barn of Chad Brown in New York to Juan Vazquez. Angel Castillo was aboard for all three wins. Her two previous wins for Vazquez came at Parx against first- and second-level allowance company.

In winning for the fourth time in 11 lifetime starts, Ciguaraya ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.37.

Winiliscious fell a head short of winning her fourth straight race. She was a half-length in front of third-place finisher Bryan’s Jewel, the 2-1 favorite in a field of seven.

* The 7-year-old mare Dixie's Valentine ($16.40) led a one-two finish for owner Guy Neivens and trainer Ron Martino by holding off stablemate Valiant By Slew by a length in the $75,000, Grade 1 Delaware Park Arabian Classic Handicap. The winning time for 1 1/4 miles was 2:19.41.