In a field where the top two choices on the morning line, Vodka With a Twist and Kimchi Cat, were trying turf for the first time, there appeared to be room to look elsewhere in Sunday's $150,000 Pea Patch Stakes at Ellis Park. Indeed, this was the case with Mae Town, a lightly raced but clearly improving filly who was up late to edge Pondering by three-quarters of a length in the race for 3-year-old fillies sprinting on the turf.
Astute players bet Mae Town down from her 10-1 morning line to return $8.12; Pondering was sent away as the post-time favorite after being tabbed at 12-1.
Mae Town, who races as a homebred for Cave Brook Farm, is by the dual-surface graded stakes winner Mo Town. The filly was third and second in her first two starts in Florida over the winter for Brian Lynch before improving when she came to Kentucky this spring. The filly won a maiden special weight on May 9 at Churchill Downs, then an allowance on that course June 11.
Although closer to the pace in both those efforts, Mae Town was eighth early under Florent Geroux as Hold Your Breath was sent hard from the rail, but joined by Anakarina on her outside through an opening quarter of 20.92 seconds and the half in 43.33 seconds on the firm turf. As those two faded into the land, Pondering, who had been tracking in the second flight, put a head in front into the stretch. Mae Town was still seventh in the field of nine, but not too far off hailing distance as the field bunched up. Geroux found clear sailing in the center of the track, and she came running to catch Pondering late. It was just a neck to Grade A, the second-longest show on the board, who had been ninth early as the pace fell apart.
The final time over 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:01.24.
After the top three came Brindi, Lovely Emma, Vodka With a Twist, Anakarina, Hold Your Breath, and Kimchi Cat.
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