Hoosier Philly Brilliant in Monomoy Girl Stakes Victory

Ahead of the June 17 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes, Gold Standard Racing Stable's Hoosier Philly  had yet to taste victory since November. 

Following a stellar sophomore season where she finished 3-for-3 and won the Golden Rod Stakes (G2), the daughter of Into Mischief   was unable to put the pieces together for her three starts this year. That slump was laid to rest Saturday in the one-mile stakes race at Ellis Park.

Off from the gate sharply under Edgar Morales, the filly took to the front easily to set the pace for the remaining four horses and set opening fractions of :25.33 and :48.86 on a fast main track. Sabra Tuff  was runner-up behind the leader while Champagne Calling  took up third, Flamand  ran in fourth, and 3-5 favorite Wet Paint  trailed in last under Tyler Gaffalione. As Hoosier Philly crested the final turn under a soft hand ride from Morales, the pair continued to gain ground in 1:13.16 and 1:24.59 and cruised smoothly down the stretch to finish in 1:36.39.

Multiple graded stakes winner Wet Paint, fourth as the favorite last out in the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, rallied hard at the end but was only good enough for second, while Flamand fended off Champagne Calling for third.

The Tom Amoss-trained Hoosier Philly ($4.50) improved her record to 4-1-1 from seven starts and increased her earnings to $644,510.

Bred in Kentucky by Candy Meadows, the gray or roan filly was a $510,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Lauren Carlisle from the breeder's consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

"She got away with a very easy opening quarter-mile but quickened up well in the lane when Edgar asked her," Amoss said. "I'm so thrilled for the owners. (Co-owners) Bill and Mary Stone are from across the river in Evansville, Indiana, and (co-owner) Rod Ratcliff held a big role at several racetracks in Indiana. It was great to see her return to the winner's circle and thrilled everyone could be here celebrating with us today."

The filly spent the early part of her 2023 season campaigning in New Orleans at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots where she was third in the Feb. 18 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) and fourth in the March 25 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), beaten both times as the favorite. After missing entry to the May 5 Kentucky Oaks due to a lack of qualifying points, the filly re-routed to the May 19 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico Race Course, running second behind Taxed . 

Hoosier Philly is the first foal out of the winning Tapit   mare Tapella  who has three other foals including a 2-year-old daughter of Mastery   named Ava's Look, a yearling son of Justify  , and a 2023 Munnings   filly.

Video: Monomoy Girl Overnight S. (BT)