Miss Bigly edges Paige Anne to win Tranquility Lake Stakes
Heavily favored Miss Bigly had to work hard for the money but eventually treated her backers right by getting the best of a stubborn Paige Anne in deep stretch to prevail in the $80,000 Tranquility Lake, a one-mile overnight stakes for older females that highlighted the Friday card at Del Mar.
The top two were never far apart throughout, but Miss Bigly, under Juan Hernandez, wore down Paige Anne in the closing yards to win by a neck. Harper's Gallop, unable to keep up with the top two in upper stretch, was a distant third, with First Star last in a race that was reduced to four runners after the scratches of Miss Stormy D and Nasty. There was no show wagering.
Miss Bigly ($2.80) attended the pace of Paige Anne throughout, with First Star joining them three paths wide for the first five furlongs before retreating. They went fast early (22.80 seconds for the quarter, 47.01 for the half) and slow late, with Miss Bigly covering one mile on the fast main track in 1:38.08.
Miss Bigly, 5, is by Gemologist. She was returning to this circuit after a series of good races at Oaklawn, Churchill Downs, and Thistledown, including runner-up finishes in two stakes races. This was her first stakes win, though she has won more than $400,000 with a record of seven wins from 22 starts.
Phil D'Amato trains Miss Bigly for Agave Racing Stable and Rockin Robin Racing Stables.
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