Fly On Angel scores front-running upset in Charles Town Oaks

Fly On Angel became a stakes winner first off the claim Friday night, when she lead throughout to upset the Grade 3, $200,000 Charles Town Oaks at 9-1.

It was a half-length back in second to Wicked Whisper, who finished a nose in front of third-place finisher Princess Cadey. Tonalist’s Shape, the favorite, finished fifth.

The Charles Town Oaks was one of seven stakes on a card led by the Grade 2, $600,000 Charles Town Classic. It’s the first time the West Virginia track has run two graded races on a single program. The dates of the races had to be adjusted this meet due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fly On Angel ($20.20) was a $50,000 claim out of a sprint Aug. 10 at Parx Racing. The Charles Town Oaks was her first start for owner Joseph Besecker and trainer Claudio Gonzalez and also her first race at two turns.

She was part of a three-horse rush to the lead at the start, with the fillies tackling an opening quarter in 22.81 seconds. Fly On Angel shook free through a half-mile in 46.25 and six furlongs in 1:11.89, then held off a fast-closing Wicked Whisper and Princess Cadey while covering the distance on a fast track in 1:26.15.

Fredy Peltroche was aboard Fly On Angel, and it was announced at the track that he was the first two-time winner of the Charles Town Oaks.

Fly On Angel is a daughter of Palace Malice. She earned $116,400 for her win in the Charles Town Oaks. Overall, she has won 4 of 9 starts and has earnings of $215,160.

Hopeful Growth and Call On Mischief were scratched Friday.

* In other stakes action, Queen Nekia ($16.60) was a determined winner of the $150,000 Dance to Bristol, as she trailed early, lost momentum on the second turn, then re-rallied for a length victory over pacesetter Lady T N T. The winner covered the seven furlongs for fillies and mares in a hand-timed 1:25.54. Christian Hiraldo was aboard the daughter of Harlington for Ken Copenhaver and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

* Bourbon Calling ($16.20) caught pacesetter Wind of Change on the wire to win the $100,000 Russell Road by a head. The winner covered the seven furlongs run around two turns in 1:24.68. J.D. Acosta rode Bourbon Calling for the partnership of Bourbon Lane Stable and Six Column Stables. Ian Wilkes trains the son of Dialed In.

* Relentless Dancer ($6.60) stalked the pace and then pushed past Pitching Ari in the late stages for a half-length win in the $100,000 Robert Hilton Memorial for 3-year-olds. Relentless Dancer covered the seven furlongs run around two turns in 1:25.42. Sunday Diaz Jr. rode the son of Midshipman for trainer Mike Maker. The horse picked up the third stakes victory of his 10-race career for the ownership of Paradise Farms, Terry Raymond, and Jana Wagner.

* Stowe Angel ($9.20) beat the boys in the $50,000 Robert G. Leavitt, when she wired her rivals in the seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds bred in West Virginia. She won by 2 1/2 lengths over Chief Randel to improve her career record to 4 for 5. Arnaldo Bocachica was aboard the daughter of Warrior’s Reward for David Raim and trainer Jeff Runco.