Penn National: Classy Zip pulls away in Allison McClay turf sprint

Classy Zip, winless in three previous tries on turf, drew clear in the stretch to collect her first stakes victory in Saturday’s $50,000 Allison McClay Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Penn National.

Based in Maryland with trainer Mike Pino, Classy Zip ($14.60) began her career by winning three straight races on Polytrack at Woodbine while racing for a claiming tag. Her best performances on grass prior to Saturday came when she finished third in an overnight handicap at Tampa Bay Downs and the $100,000 Alywow at Woodbine. In her most recent start, she was fourth of 10 in the restricted Oakley at Colonial Downs.

Ridden confidently by substitute rider William Otero, Classy Zip finished two lengths in front of 12-1 outsider Ocean Princess. Honey Chile, the 6-5 favorite on the basis of her runner-up finish in the seven-furlong, $150,000 Dutchess at Woodbine last time out and her second on Polytrack in the Grade 2 Beaumont at Keeneland, finished third.

Classy Zip ran the five furlongs on a firm course in 57.17 seconds.