Terra's Angel outlasts Hold Her Tight in Panthers Stakes

Terra’s Angel scored a mild upset in the $65,000 Panthers Stakes on Thursday night at Prairie Meadows, beating favored Hold Her Tight by a neck.

Terra’s Angel and jockey Sasha Risenhoover pressed the early pace of longshot Magic in Motion in the one-mile race, took over after a half-mile in 47.17 seconds, turned back a far-turn bid from Salt Bae, and still had enough to hold clear 6-5 shot Hold Her Tight at the wire.

Terra’s Angel ran a two-turn mile on a fast track in 1:36.50 and paid $12.80 in a field reduced to six by the scratches of Beckhem Beauty and First Alternative. The 5-2 second choice Mia d’Oro was along for third, nearly three lengths behind Hold Her Tight.

Terra’s Angel, by Drosselmeyer out of Vindicated Angel, by Vindication, shipped from Lone Star last month, leaving the barn of trainer and co-owner Terry Eoff and joining trainer Karl Broberg’s string at Prairie Meadows. Terra’s Angel, who summered with trainer Dallas Keen in Southern California last year, had won the La Senorita Stakes at Retama last year while racing on turf, but she showed she could be equally effective on dirt Thursday, likely earning a start in the Iowa Oaks next month. Eoff owns the filly, just a $7,500 auction purchase, along with Johnny Evans.