Drexel Monorail drives home in strong Pippin win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Drexel Monorail showed more speed than she had in her last several starts Saturday when she drove to a powerful, 2 3/4-length win over There Runs Hattie in the $50,000 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

It was another 4 3/4 lengths back in third to Due to Win. Reason To Talk, the favorite, finished fourth, while Sue's Good News, previously undefeated at Oaklawn, finished fifth in her first start since October.

Sue's Good News jumped out to the early lead in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, setting fractions of 23.60 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.06 for the half-mile mark while under pressure from Drexel Monorail.

The eventual winner advanced along the rail, put her head in front on the final turn, and increased her advantage through the stretch. She covered the distance over a sloppy track in 1:47.20. Drexel Monorail paid $11.60.

"She ran a big race," said Jamie Theriot, who rode Drexel Monorail for trainer Bernie Flint.

Drexel Monorail earned $30,000 for the win, which was her fifth in 25 starts. Her earnings now stand at $266,895. She races for Stoneway Farm.

Drexel Monorail had been using closing tactics in her recent races, but was working sharply for the Pippin, and was prominent from the start. She is a daughter of Glitterman.