True Way of Grace pulls Barretts Debutante upset

POMONA, Calif. – True Way of Grace overcame early trouble in the $91,872 Barretts Debutante on Saturday at Fairplex Park, and reeled in odds-on favorite Dearly Concerned to post a half-length upset in the stakes, which was for 2-year-old fillies that were offered at a Barretts auction.

Paul Atkinson rode True Way of Grace, who was forced wide on the first turn, settled into fourth, took hold late, and won going away in 1:18.92 for 6 1/2 furlongs. True Way of Grace, owned by Peter Johnson and trained by Alexis Barba, earned a 72 Beyer Figure. She paid $14.20.

Dearly Concerned finished second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of longshot Lucy Wiggles, a first-time starter who finished well for third. True Way of Grace, a maiden sired by Yes It’s True, was making her third career start.