Ms. Tart rolls in Wishing Well Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE?q=100)
Ms. Tart was ready to run in the $125,000 Wishing Well Stakes back on Jan. 24 at Turfway Park, before winter weather wreaked havoc on the racing schedule. The mare proved she was still more than ready the night of Feb. 6, rolling to a 2 3/4-length win in the twice-rescheduled sprint for fillies and mares.
Ms. Tart ($20.88), a 5-year-old Maximus Mischief mare, had a fine season in 2025 while trained by Kevin Rice for Nathan McCauley, winning the Grade 3 Royal North at Woodbine and the Satin and Lace Stakes at Presque Isle. She was purchased ro $375,000 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale by Mulholland Springs, and transferred by that farm and new co-owner Judy Pryor to John Ennis in Kentucky. In her first start for Ennis, she was third in the Holiday Inaugural Stakes in December at Turfway, a race in which she set a pressured pace after drawing the rail.
The third draw of the Wishing Well was kinder to Ms. Tart, as she and Edgar Morales landed in post 6, outside of some of the other speed. Grade 2 winner Kehoe Beach, favored in her first start since August, was away sharply from post 4, and was pressed by Fancy Caber Neigh on her outside through a sharp opening quarter of 22.52 seconds. With My Lil Punky assuming a position chasing the pace inside, Ms. Tart was able to settle into a perfect stalking position in fourth on the outside.
Ms. Tart began to advance under her own power around the far turn, and as the pacesetters faltered, was in perfect position to assume the lead, quickly drawing clear. Zadorsky, who had been ninth of 10 nearing the quarter pole, made a solid run to be second, but was no match for the winner, who finished the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:18.04.
Zadorsky was second by three-quarters of a length over Sea Runner, another three-quarters ahead of Moon Mystique. They were followed, in order, by Lithe Spirit, My Lil Punky, Dala, Baby No Worries, and finally, Fancy Caber Neigh and Kehoe Beach, who faded.
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