HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Corningstone moved to the top of the filly and mare ranks at Oaklawn Park on Sunday, when she won her second consecutive stakes at the meet in the $150,000 Pippin.
The 1 1/16-mile race was part of a local series of stakes that lead to the Apple Blossom Handicap.
Corningstone ($4.80) took the lead soon after breaking from the rail Sunday and never relinquished her advantage. She doled out fractions of 24.24 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.39 for the half-mile, and 1:13.51 for six furlongs with Taxed in close pursuit. Corningstone came under further pressure from Taxed in the stretch, but fended off that one and later held off a closing Indy Label.
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Corningstone won by a length over Indy Label, while it was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third to Taxed. The winner covered the distance on a fast track in 1:45.44.
Julien Leparoux was aboard Corningstone for trainer Kenny McPeek.
Corningstone is a daughter of Kantharos who races for Payson Stud and RTA Trust. She won the fifth stakes race of her career in the Pippin and overall is 8 for 23 for earnings of $756,318.
The card wrapped up the raceweek as Oaklawn has canceled Monday’s holiday program and moved that card as drawn to Thursday. It was sunny on Sunday and temperatures ranged in the high 20s and low 30s, but overnight are forecast to drop into the teens. There will be no training Monday or Tuesday at Oaklawn.
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