Pyrite Slew uses speed to capture Emerald Necklace
Pyrite Slew, responding to the addition of blinkers by displaying the high early speed that was absent in her two most recent starts, opened up a comfortable lead and held off a mild bid from 3-5 favorite True Cinder to win Saturday’s $75,000 Emerald Necklace Stakes for Ohio-accredited 2-year-old fillies at Thistledown.
One of only two winners in the six-horse field, Pyrite Slew ($6.40) outsprinted True Cinder, a maiden who was stakes-placed in each of her two most recent starts, for the early lead under jockey Luis Rivera. Pyrite Slew, a daughter of Lunarpal trained by Jeff Radosevich for Gerald Silver, was firmly in command, leading by four lengths after an opening quarter-mile in 22.38 seconds and 3 1/2 lengths after a half-mile in 46 seconds flat. True Cinder tried to cut into the margin in midstretch, but never got close. Pyrite Slew had plenty left to win by three lengths, completing six furlongs in 1:12.36.
True Cinder was clearly second-best, 7 3/4 lengths ahead of the next two finishers. Mygirlfriday, the only other winner in the field, won a photo for third by a head over Funny Morning.