Magnificent Song wins Edgewood Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Todd Pletcher isn't sure that blinkers have made the difference with Magnificent Song, but the trainer not about to mess with success. On Friday, Magnificent Song won her second straight race since adding blinkers when she captured the $114,900 for 3-year-old turf fillies at Churchill Downs.

Magnificent Song was on the lead in her previous start at Keeneland, and kicked clear to handily beat that first-level allowance field. In the Edgewood, jockey Garrett Gomez was able to get her to settle, and she responded by rallying to post a half-length victory over Fiery Dancer. May Night was another three-quarters of a length back in third, with 2-1 favorite Kitty Hawk fourth in the field of 10.

"I just had to cover her up and find a spot," Gomez said.

Magnificent Song ($14) completed 1 1/16 miles on a firm turf course in 1:42.15. She gave Pletcher and Gomez their third win in the first five races on Friday's card.

"Last time she was on the lead at Keeneland, which isn't where we wanted to be," Pletcher said. "Today we got her back off the pace a little. She was able to sit off the pace and then make her run. She's improving."

Beau Dare went for the early lead and set fractions of 23.81 seconds for a quarter-mile, 47.91 seconds for a half-mile, and 1:11.88 for the first six furlongs. Fiery Dancer moved up to challenge heading into the far turn and took the lead entering the stretch, but she could not hold off the late charge of Magnificent Song. Kitty Hawk, meanwhile, was fanned six paths wide heading into the lane and could not make a significant impact late.

Magnificent Song, a daughter of Unbridled's Song, has now won three times in six starts for the Larry and Diane Vaughn's L and D Farm, which purchased Magnificent Song as a yearling for $625,000.