On the Fritz gets head out in front to win Clark County

LEXINGTON, Ky. - On the Fritz, ridden by Robby Albarado, angled to the rail and was up in the final jumps to nail Brown Eyed Beauty by a head in the $85,425 Clark County Stakes at Keeneland on Thursday.

On the Fritz, a 5-year-old mare owned by Woodlynn Farm and trained by Jimmy Baker, returned $13.80 as fourth choice in a field of 10 fillies and mares. Victory in the Clark County was her first of the year, first in a stakes, and fifth in 22 overall starts.

Before 9,770 who attended in ideal autumn weather, a trio of front-runners gave way to Brown Eyed Beauty in midstretch, but then On the Fritz came calling. "All I was looking for was a good trip around there," said Albarado. "It worked out well."

Mahogany Hall, the sire of On the Fritz, was campaigned by Woodlynn's Bob Hoeweler and Baker in the mid-1990's. "This mare is real special to us because of that connection," said Baker. "She'd been pretty unlucky this year," a reference to her 0-3-2 record from seven prior starts. "It really was great to see her win today."

Paige's Boo rallied late to finish third, 2 1/2 lengths behind On the Fritz. Then came Cauy, Steaming Home, Beat Your Feet, All That Glitters, Nicole's Dream, Crystal Sea, and Tangier Sound. The last three finishers were the pace setters.

On the Fritz finished 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.92 over a firm turf course.

Pick six pays $160,629

A victory by favored Audrey Hep ($4.60) in the ninth and final race Thursday led to the end of a pick six chase that had been going on at Keeneland since Oct. 5. Four winning $1 tickets, each worth $160,629.90, were sold on the winning 8-4-8-4-3-6 combination. The pick six had not been won the six previous racing days.

Before on the Fritz and Audrey Hep, the winning horses were Consoling Granny ($20.60), Everheart ($20.40), Gamble to Victory ($28), and Price of Honour ($9.20).

Consolation tickets with five of six winners returned $923.40 for $1.