Gone Away comes from far back to spring 13-1 upset in Hilltop

BALTIMORE – Gone Away came storming down the center of the course and just did hold off another late runner, Family Meeting, to score a 13-1 surprise in the $100,000 Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the Pimlico turf on Friday.

The race shape helped late runners, as Morethanjusthello spread the field by setting a quick pace because her rider, Javier Castellano, lost control early in the race when his right stirrup became unbuckled. Gone Away was 13th in the 14-horse field midway through the race, was in front of only Family Meeting on the far turn, was taken widest of all once straightening away in the lane, and she closed with a rush under Florent Geroux to get up and win by a head

“There was a great pace in front of us,” Geroux said. “She gave me a very nice kick the last quarter-mile.”

Family Meeting, last for the first half of the race, had to wind her way between rivals through the lane and just did miss while edging Wessex by a head for second.

Spinamiss, the 5-2 favorite, finished 11th.

Gone Away ($29.80) covered 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:41.68.

Michael Matz trains Gone Away, a daughter of Leroidesanimaux, for the Augustin Stable of George Strawbridge. She has now won twice in five starts. She was third in her lone previous stakes try, the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride at Gulfstream in February.

Morethanjusthello opened a seven-length lead during an opening half-mile in 46.12 seconds, but then faded through the lane, with Castellano doing his best to maintain a straight course and not cause problems and she dropped back to last.

“I didn’t have any control,” he said. “My legs are going to be sore tomorrow.”

Gary Stevens, aboard Family Meeting, said he was able to avoid Morethanjusthello and any other significant traffic through the lane.

“I was hoping everyone would stay in their lanes and we’d all be all right but they all started scattering, but I had a smooth passage,” Stevens said.