Delaware County Fair: Sophia Lia shines in Buckette

Sophia Lia picked up her first stakes win of 2019 by taking Wednesday afternoon's $76,125 Buckette for sophomore trotting fillies at the Delaware County Fair in a career-best 1:54 3/5.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Sophia Lia hustled to the front from post four, but 1-5 favorite French Cafe (Andy Miller) was brought to the outside from the pocket and took over passing the 28 second opening quarter. French Cafe would continue in front to a 57 second half and a 1:26 three-quarters, repelling a first-over challenge from Summit City Swan (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.).

Despite the easy tempo, French Cafe had no answer in the lane when Sophia Lia came to her outside, with Tetrick guiding his charge home a winner by a length and a half. French Cafe, Summit City Swan, Keystone Abbey (Aaron Merriman), Rush Lane (Yannick Gingras), and Conway Kellyanne (Charlie Norris) rounded out the order.

"She finished up strong, and she beat a real nice filly Andy's got," said Tetrick. "I love being the big races, and I love being here at the Little Brown Jug."

An Indiana-sired daughter of Guccio, Sophia Lia is co-owned by trainer Chris Beaver in partnership with Donald Robinson, R.B.H. Ventures Inc., and William Rufenacht. This was her sixth career victory, and she has now pocketed $146,605. The 7-2 second choice, she paid $9.80 to win.