Quebec holds on to take Marie Krantz Memorial

NEW ORLEANS – Quebec led from the start and held on to win the $100,000 Marie Krantz Memorial Stakes by a neck on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Quebec broke from the rail under Adam Beschizza, cleaved to best part of the Fair Grounds grass course Saturday, the rail, raced slightly too keenly through a half-mile in 48.09 seconds, went clear past the three-furlong marker and into the homestretch, and had just enough in the tank to hold off runner-up Don’t Tell Marge and third-place Stave, who finished heads apart.

Quebec ran 1 1/16 miles over firm going in 1:42.28 and paid $5.60 as the favorite. Well bet La Signare, the second choice, dropped back to last and didn’t come close to threatening the top three. Notapradaprice and Lounge Act were scratched.

Joe Sharp trains Quebec for Connie and Richard Snyder and Quebec was making just her second start in Sharp’s barn after campaigning in late summer and autumn for trainer Richard Baltas in California. Sharp gave Quebec a turf-sprint tightener here Dec. 28 in the Pan Zareta Stakes and Quebec had just enough fitness to get home first at a distance perhaps a touch farther than her best.

Sharp said Quebec would continue along through the Fair Grounds series of turf route races for older fillies and mares. Quebec, a 6-year-old, is by Into Mischief out of Miss Canada, by Distorted Humor.