Miss d'Oro delivers as heavy favorite in Power by Far

Miss d’Oro, a Grade 2-placed mare facing Pennsylvania-breds for the first time in two years, justified her status as the odds-on favorite by holding off 9-1 outsider Rockinonthewater to win Saturday’s $75,000 Power by Far Handicap for female turf sprinters Saturday at Parx Racing.

In her only previous start on grass three weeks ago, the 5-year-old Miss d’Oro ran well for a half-mile before fading to sixth in a six-furlong high-priced optional claimer at Belmont Park.

Racing on yielding ground in the five-furlong Power by Far, Miss d’Oro ($3.40) made a three-wide move on the turn under Kendrick Carmouche and prevailed by a neck, completing the distance in 59.13 seconds. Rockingonthewater remained winless in 11 starts on turf but finished second for the sixth time on grass. Previous Honor was third.

It was the fifth win in 12 career starts for Miss d’Oro, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro owned by Mr Amore Stables and trained by Jason Servis. The last time she faced statebreds, Miss d’Oro cruised to a five-length win in the Wonders Delite at Penn National in June 2012. Last year, she ran second in the Grade 2 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct.

In the $75,000 Crowd Pleaser Handicap for statebred 3-year-olds, Beyond Smart earned his third straight victory for trainer Jonathan Sheppard and Augustin Stable by finishing a head in front of Althelstane.

A son of Smart Strike who made his first three career starts in England, Beyond Smart ($5.60) completed 1 1/16 miles under Victor Carrasco in 1:48.20. His previous two wins came sprinting on Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs and in a first-level allowance at Delaware Park.

Athelstane, bidding for his third straight win, was a clear second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of Starry Moon, part of a coupled entry for Fitzhugh Farm that went off favored at 6-5.