Imply narrowly prevails in Mrs. Henry Paxson Memorial

Imply, making her first start since winning her career debut two months ago, flashed high early speed and then barely held off a late surge by 3-5 favorite Bella Flor to win Sunday night’s $75,000 Mrs. Henry Paxson Memorial Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred 2-year-old fillies at Presque Isle Downs.

Based at Penn National with trainer Bernie Houghton, Imply ($13.80) dueled up front early with Little Miss Miss through an opening quarter in 22.55 seconds. Imply won the pace battle, led by a length after a half-mile in 46 seconds flat, and was clear by two lengths into the stretch.

Bella Flor, who broke slowly but rushed up to third in the first quarter-mile, cut into Imply’s advantage inside the eighth pole, but Imply and Julio Hernandez hung on to prevail by a nose, completing six furlongs on Tapeta in 1:10.16. Hey Monba finished third, 6 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

A daughter of E Dubai, Imply is owned by her breeder, Barlar LLC.

* Presque Isle has added three days to extend its meet to Tuesday, Oct. 6. The extra days on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday make up for three dates lost this summer when a problem with deer in the infield prevented the track from running.