Lemon Drop Mom rebounds

Lemon Drop Mom took advantage of a major drop in class to romp in the $58,000 Winter Melody Stakes at Delaware Park.

Lemon Drop Mom ended her 3-year-old season last year with a 2-for-3 run in Delaware stakes, but in her three previous starts this year, all at Oaklawn, had finished sixth in the Pippin, fifth behind Hystericalady in the Grade 3 Azeri, and fourth to Zenyatta in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom.

In the 1 1/16-mile Winter Melody, Lemon Drop Mom ($6) was the big name. She stalked leaders Peak Maria's Way and All Night Labor for six furlongs and pulled away under Jose Caraballo to win by nine lengths. Lil's Lassie edged All Night Labor by a head for second in the field of six fillies and mares.

A Lemon Drop Kid filly owned by Robert S. Evans and trained by Tim Ritchey, Lemon Drop Mom covered the distance in 1:44.33 on a wet-fast track. The victory was her sixth in 16 starts.