Ms Locust Point cruises to victory in What a Summer Stakes

Ms Locust Point improved her record to five wins from seven starts with an easy three-length victory in the $100,000 What a Summer Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday.

The win made Ms Locust Point perfect in three starts at Laurel, including the Willa On the Move Stakes last month and the Gin Talking Stakes in December 2016.

Based at Parx with trainer John Servis, Ms Locust Point will be pointed to the Grade 2, $300,000 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel on Feb. 17.

Jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. is 5 for 5 aboard Ms Locust Point. The win was the second on the day for Vargas, who is riding regularly at Laurel in addition to accepting mounts at his home track of Parx.

"She’s a runner," Vargas said of Ms Locust Point. "I was just a passenger today. Even on the gallop-out, she didn’t want to pull up. She's amazing."

Ms Locust Point tracked pacesetting 20-1 shot Seeknthegiantpearl early in the six-furlong race for fillies and mares. She readily took the lead entering the far turn and won with authority as Vargas geared her down for much of the final sixteenth of a mile.

Owned by Chuck Zacney and Jim Reichenbery, Ms Locust Point paid $2.20, $2.10, and $2.10. She had $166,734 of the $187,987 show pool wagered on her.

Tazkeya, who raced in contention throughout, finished second, a half-length ahead of third-place My Magician, who rallied from last.

Angel At War, who came into the race with a perfect 6-for-6 record over easier competition, finished fourth, 1 1/4 lengths behind My Magician.