Merlazza surges late to win Valley of the Vapors
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Merlazza accelerated late to catch a loose-on-the-lead Pink Ace and win the $150,000 Valley of the Vapors by a length on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. It was another neck back in third to Exponential Star.
The Valley of the Vapors was for 3-year-old fillies at a mile, in a race configuration that ended the sixteenth pole. The stakes was one of three on the card, continuing the Racing Festival of the South.
Merlazza ($3.20) settled in fifth as Pink Ace dictated the terms on the front end, through fractions of 24.06 for the opening quarter, 50.12 for the half-mile and 1:15.90 for six furlongs. Merlazza began her bid on the final turn, angled out into the stretch, and dug in to get past the leader. Merlazza covered the distance on a fast track in 1:40.75.
Joel Rosario was aboard for trainer Brad Cox.
Merlazza is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro who races for her breeder, Don Alberto Stable. She has now won 3 of 4 starts for career earnings of $191,650.