Morning Matcha runs away and hides in off-the-turf Mrs. Penny Stakes

Morning Matcha became a millionaire on Monday at Parx Racing when she proved much the best in the $100,000 Mrs. Penny Stakes. She won off by 11 3/4 lengths, while Mia Tosca was second by a head over third-place finisher Nature’s Candy.

The Mrs. Penny was one of four restricted stakes on a card celebrating Pennsylvania-breds.

Morning Matcha ($2.80), who had been entered for the main-track only, ended up running when the two turf stakes carded were moved to a fast main track. She was content to settle off the pace in fifth as Nature’s Candy took the field through fractions of 24.31 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.15 for the half-mile, and 1:14.45 for six furlongs.

Morning Matcha moved up on the backside, was rolling on the final turn, took the lead into the stretch, and went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares in 1:46.18.

Jose Lezcano was aboard for trainer Butch Reid.

Morning Matcha has now won 8 of 28 starts for earnings of $1,029,040. A daughter of Central Banker and Home Ice, she is owned by LC Racing, Cash Is King, and Gary Barber. Morning Matcha was bred by Crane Thoroughbred Services.

Morning Matcha was one of two stakes winners on the card for Reid, who saddled Smooth B to a 3 1/2-length victory over Traders Luck in the $100,000 Marshall Jenney Handicap, which also was originally scheduled for turf.

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Smooth B ($17.40) stalked the pace set by Traders Luck, who took the field through fractions of 22.14 and 45.93. Smooth B advanced, came up the rail in the stretch, and covered five furlongs in 58.67 seconds.

Smooth B, who is 9, is a son of Weigelia owned by LC Racing. He was winning the Marshall Jenney for the second time in his career. Overall, he is 11 for 61 for earnings of $893,447.

Fore Harp, a full brother to Smooth B, finished fourth. The horses are both from the mare Katarico Disco.

Mychel Sanchez rode Smooth B, one of two stakes wins he had on the card. He also was aboard Gordian Knot for his 1 1/4-length win over Capo in the $100,000 Jump Start. It was another nose back in third to Vesson.

Gordian Knot ($5.40) overtook dueling leaders Capo and Vesson in the stretch to cover seven furlongs in 1:23.93.

Jamie Ness trains Gordian Knot for Briardale Stable. The horse is a son of Social Inclusion.

In the $100,000 Storm Cat, Irish Cork darted to a 2 1/2-length win over Margin of Air. It was another half-length back in third to Market Maven.

Irish Cork ($7.20) trailed the field early as Movisitor took the field through an opening quarter in 23.29, a half-mile in 47.03, and six furlongs in 1:12.52. Irish Cork advanced three wide on the final turn, came between rivals in the stretch and covered a mile and 70 yards in 1:42.74.

Frankie Pennington was aboard for trainer John Servis.

Irish Cork is a son of Flat Out, who races for Irish Three Racing.

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