Delaware Park: Tiz Miz Sue now 4 for 4 at her favorite track after taking Winter Melody

Tiz Miz Sue reaffirmed her affinity for the main track at Delaware Park when she pulled away from Sarah’s Song in deep stretch to win Saturday’s $50,700 Winter Melody Stakes for fillies and mares.

The 1 1/16-mile Winter Melody served as the first local prep for horses looking to move on to the meet’s premier race, the Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap on July 16.

The 4-year-old Tiz Miz Sue ($4.20) is now 4 for 4 over Delaware’s main track, including last fall’s Polly Jet, an overnight stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Ridden by Joe Rocco Jr. for trainer Steve Hobby, Tiz Miz Sue overtook pacesetter Sarah’s Song inside the eighth pole and finished 1 1/4 lengths in front while completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.55.

Sarah’s Song, the 5-2 second choice in a field reduced to seven by three scratches, led through comfortable fractions of 23.56 seconds, 47.01, and 1:11.22 before she was passed late. Sarah’s Song, making her stakes debut after scoring back-to-back victories at Oaklawn Park, easily held second, 5 1/4 lengths in front of Bahama Bound.

The top three finishers earned a free nomination to the Grade 3, $150,000 Obeah Stakes on June 11. The 1 1/8-mile Obeah is the next local stepping-stone on the road to the 1 1/4-mile Delaware Handicap.

“She ran super today,” said winning trainer Steve Hobby. “She really likes this track, so it looks like we are moving on to the next race and after that who knows? She really likes this track so that is a major plus.”

Mac Robertson, the trainer of Sarah’s Song, was not discouraged by her second-place finish.

“She really ran game today,” Robertson said. “More than likely we will be back for the Obeah.”