Turfway: Strike Rate in Wintergreen

The public expected trainer Dale Romans to win Friday's $50,000 Wintergreen Stakes at Turfway, but not with the filly who won the race.

The public focused on the Romans-trained Glitter Act, who came to Turfway after last winning at Gulfstream Park. Instead, it was her Kentucky-based uncoupled stablemate, Strike Rate, who scored the victory for Romans.

She took advantage of Glitter Act and Bonay setting fast early fractions of 22.59 seconds and 46.03 in the one-mile Wintergreen, rallied through on the inside, and outfinished River Flower by a nose. Mariaworth closed to finish third, 1 1/4 lengths behind the top pair. Glitter Act faded to fourth. Playa Maya, Page Me Later, and Secondary School were scratched.

Strike Rate raced a mile on a fast track in 1:36.87 under Tony D'Amico and paid $14. The Wintergreen was her third consecutive win, and her first stakes triumph. She has earned more than $90,000 in 10 starts since being claimed for $50,000 in November 2002.