Return to Denis powers on late to take Sylvia Bishop
Return to Denis outdueled 2-5 favorite T Rex Express for a half-length win in Saturday night’s $50,000 Sylvia Bishop Memorial at Charles Town. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to All About Attitude in third.
The seven-furlong race around two turns was for 3-year-old fillies bred in West Virginia. It honored Bishop, who was an owner and trainer for 60 years, according to an announcement made during a packed winner’s circle tribute at Charles Town.
Return to Denis ($54.60) tracked the pace through an opening quarter in 23.40 seconds and a half-mile in 47.31. She then engaged T Rex Express in the stretch before forging on late to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:26.50.
Christian Hiraldo was aboard for Taylor Mountain Farm and trainer James Casey. Return to Denis came into the Bishop off a conditioned allowance win at Charles Town, while T Rex Express had won five straight allowances heading into the stakes. Return to Denis is a daughter of the Harlan’s Holiday stallion Denis of Cork.