Edge of Reality scores as Alphabet Soup favorite

Edge of Reality took control of the $100,000 Alphabet Soup Handicap outside early leader Atlantic Seaboard entering the stretch and was able to hold off Roadhog late to win by three-quarters of a length.

The Alphabet Soup, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for Pennsylvania-breds, was the first of four consecutive stakes at Parx on Saturday.

Atlantic Seaboard opened up a long early lead through fractions of 23.39 seconds, 46.37, and 1:09.97. Edge of Reality and Page McKenney reeled in Atlantic Seaboard on the far turn with Edge of Reality traveling best. He held a one-length lead at the eighth pole and enough left to hold off the late-running Roadhog.

Page McKenney finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Edge of Reality paid $8.80 to win as the favorite in the field of 11. He was timed in 1:42.62.

Edge of Reality, a 4-year-old trained by Graham Motion, has now won 6 of 15 starts and $477,695. His biggest career victory came in last year's Grade 3 Smarty Jones at Parx.