Wallop times it right

Wallop, a 4-year-old filly who has often been close but rarely a winner this season, picked a good time to end her bout of seconditis Tuesday night at Mountaineer Racetrack.

Facing eight other filly and mare sprinters, Wallop ($19.80) overtook pacesetter Glorious Again in deep stretch to earn a half-length victory in the $75,000 New Year's Eve Stakes. She covered six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.53.

In 15 previous starts in 2004, Wallop had finished second seven times, including four races in which she was beaten less than two lengths while competing in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.

Trainer Donald Barr shipped Wallop from Maryland to West Virginia and brought along rider Nik Goodwin, who had ridden the filly to a 4 1/4-length win in an optional claiming route in October.

Wallop was still fifth with a quarter-mile remaining in the New Year's Eve when she mounted a four-wide rally into the stretch. Glorious Again, attempting to give trainer Justin Nixon his second stakes win in three days at Mountaineer, set fractions of 21.51 and 44.16 seconds and held well along the inside until Wallop overtook her nearing the wire.

Cobra Lady, the 9-5 favorite and seeking her fourth consecutive win, pressed Glorious Again and faded to fourth.