Half Heaven continues to dominate

Half Heaven was the best distance filly or mare at Turfway Park in December. Three months later, nothing has changed. She continued her dominance Saturday, winning the $50,000 Fairway Fun, her third stakes victory in four starts at Turfway over the winter and spring.

Well placed from the start under Miguel Mena, Half Heaven sat third early, as Ella Belle set a slow pace of 24.10 and 48.36 seconds in the 1 1/16-mile race. Down the backstretch and into the final turn, she retreated into fifth position, as My Chickadee made a powerful move to advance into second behind Ella Belle.

Half Heaven showed her capability in the stretch, however. With Ella Bella and My Chickadee tiring into the lane, Mena swung Half Heaven out into the center of the track, and she outkicked longshot Sassy Skipper to win by a half-length. My Chickadee edged Ella Belle for third.

Half Heaven, a 5-year-old Regal Classic mare, raced 1 1/16 miles over Polytrack in 1:45.16, paying $7.20 as the second choice in the field of 11. Dale Romans trains the winner for Stronach Stable.

Favored Top Notch Lady, winner of the Bourbonette Stakes at Turfway last year, ran eighth.