Mo Shopping digs deep in Light Hearted Stakes

Mo Shopping took the lead from pacesetting Prospective Lady in upper stretch of the $50,000 Light Hearted Stakes at Delaware Park on Wednesday, then resolutely held off 3-2 favorite Blue Strike to win by a half-length.

The one mile and 70-yard Light Hearted is the local prep for the Grade 3, $300,000 Delaware Oaks on July 7.

Prospective Lady went right to the front in the field of six 3-year-old fillies under jockey Daniel Centeno. Mo Shopping, with Mario Pino aboard, took up a stalking position. Blue Strike, who was pushed out a bit by Vente to Go entering the clubhouse turn, settled into third.

On the far turn, both Mo Shopping and Blue Strike were asked to go after the leader but neither made up much ground at first. Mo Shopping collared Prospective Lady three-sixteenths out as Vente to Go lodged a bid along the inner rail and Blue Strike ranged up on the outside.

Mo Shopping had to dig deep to hold Blue Strike at bay late. It was another neck back to Prospective Lady in third.

Fourth-place finisher Blue Union Rags had traffic trouble in the stretch when she ran up behind the leaders and had to alter course to the outside. She galloped out well.

Mo Shopping is trained by Todd Pletcher and owned and bred by Mike Repole. She paid $5.40 as the second betting choice and was timed in 1:42.77. She is now three for six in her career.