Former claimer Crow's Nest pulls 10-1 surprise in Robellino

Crow’s Nest, a 6-year-old gelding who was running for a $20,000 claiming tag as recently as June, scored the biggest victory of his 23-race career Friday night at Penn National Race Course when he upset the $75,000 Robellino Stakes for Pennsylvania-breds.

Ridden for the first time by William Antongeorgi III, who primarily competes at Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park, Crow’s Nest ($23.60) stalked the early pace from third, took a clear lead in the stretch, and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over another 10-1 longshot, Pocket Patch. In a three-way photo for second, Pocket Patch was a head in front of 5-2 favorite Auction Watch, who beat out Sacco River for third by a neck.

In winning his third straight race for Maryland-based trainer Patrick Graham, Crow’s Nest completed 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.43. Crow’s Nest began his winning streak with a wire-to-wire win over $20,000 rivals at Delaware on June 21, followed by a neck win over second-level optional $25,000 claimers at Penn National. He went off at odds of 10-1 to 11-1 in all three of his latest wins.

In the $75,000 Russian Rhythm for statebred fillies and mares, Fugitive Angel ($8) made up a 4 1/2-length deficit in the final furlong to draw clear by 1 1/2 lengths. It was the second straight win for Fugitive Angel, ridden by Anna Napravnik, since she came to trainer Jonathan Sheppard’s barn this year.

Fugitive Angel, whose maiden win came in a 5 ½-furlong sprint at Colonial Downs in mid-June, ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:40.57.
Lovelier overtook pacesetter Domestic Bliss by a neck to get second.