Holding Her Ground uses speed to dominate Harvest

FRESNO, Calif. – Holding Her Ground broke sharply and was never seriously challenged as she scored an easy four-length victory in the $32,500 Harvest Stakes at the Big Fresno Fair on Sunday.

Holding Her Ground ($10.40) broke quickest and bolted to a 2 1/2-length advantage with a 22.68-second opening quarter in the six-furlong race for fillies and mares. Red White and Brew crept within a length of Holding Her Ground at the quarter pole, but jockey Ricky Frazier pulled away through the lane.

The favored Rated Fiesty finished well but made no real impact in the lane as Holding Her Ground won in 1:09.30. Red White and Brew was third another 1 1/2 lengths back.

Holding Her Ground, a 4-year-old Florida-bred filly by Put It Back, earned $31,050 for owner-trainer Bobby Grayson. She has won 5 of 15 career starts, earning $149,215.