Falconet edges clear in final furlong to take Top Flight
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Capping another huge weekend for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Falconet notched her second stakes win of the year with a mild upset Sunday in the 83rd running of the $97,000 Top Flight at Aqueduct in Ozone Park, N.Y.
Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Falconet got a clean trip from just off the pace before edging away in the final furlong to finish 2 1/4 lengths clear of heavily favored Kathleen O., who was compromised by a slow start to the 1 1/8-mile race.
Falconet returned $9 as second choice in a field of five fillies and mares after finishing in 1:51.42 over a fast track. Owned by her breeder, WinStar Farm, in partnership with the China Horse Club, the 4-year-old Uncle Mo filly was registering her fourth win from nine career starts, with the Jan. 1 Ladies at Aqueduct being her lone preceding stakes triumph.
Kathleen O., the 2-5 favorite seeking her first win in exactly a year, spotted the field about five lengths in the first 100 yards and just could not recover when rallying belatedly to get second by a half-length over Timeless Journey.
Let Her Inspire U and Mommasgottarun rounded out the order. Easy to Bless and Sweet Willemina were early scratches.
Pletcher, the all-time leading earner among North American trainers, saddled four winners Saturday at Gulfstream Park, most notably Forte, who clinched Kentucky Derby favoritism by winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
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