Princess Composer captures Merrillville

Princess Composer held off the late-charging duo of Easy Tee and Lindas Lace to win the 14th running of the $100,000 Merrillville at Hoosier Park on Friday.

Jockey Jose Camejo had Princess Composer on the outside and back through quick opening fractions in the six-furlong Merrillville. The 6-year-old mare rallied into the stretch and had a clear lead late but began to drift in the final yards under right-handed urging and held on to win by only a neck.

Trained by Ryan Nemann, Princess Composer now has won 18 of 28 lifetime starts. Easy Tee, under Orlando Mojica, was second, a half-length in front of Lindas Lace. That pair were ninth and 10th in the field of 12 Indiana-bred fillies and mares entering the stretch, but were gaining with every stride nearing the wire.

Princess Composer returned $12.80 to win and ran the six furlongs in 1.12.00 over a sloppy track.