Regal Glory Takes Stewart Manor in Photo Finish
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Regal Glory (outside) gets a nose in front at the wire to win the Stewart Manor Stakes at Aqueduct
Nine 2-year-old fillies fought it out on the turf in the $100,000 Stewart Manor Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 11, with a photo finish won by Paul Pompa Jr.'s Regal Glory.
The daughter of Animal Kingdom was making her second start for trainer Chad Brown after she won her debut Oct. 6 by 5 1/2 lengths going six furlongs on the Belmont Park turf.
In Sunday's stakes Regal Glory and Introduced raced off a quick early pace set by Guacamole before their stretch battle.
"(Regal Glory) is a nice filly, and I remember the horse who finished second from Saratoga, and I know she is a horse ... trainer (Alan Goldberg) is high on," said Regal Glory's rider, Jose Ortiz. "When we got to the eighth pole, I knew it was going to be a battle, because Manny (Franco, aboard Introduced) had her running. My horse started to run too, and we went head-to-head. I'm just glad we got it at the end."
Guacamole was hustled to the lead and posted fractions of :22.33 and :46.07 through a half-mile, with Introduced pressing the pace just behind her. Regal Glory, who was sent off as the even-money favorite, ran in third after a slow break.
Off the turn Introduced challenged for the lead, but only held it briefly, as Regal Glory dug in. Regal Glory had a nose in front at the wire and finished off the six furlongs on the outer turf in 1:10.94.
The winner returned $4, $3, and $2.60, while the runner-up paid $4 and $3.60. Todd Pletcher-trained Guacamole held for third to return $6.30.
A homebred for Pompa, Regal Glory is out of the grade 2 winner Mary's Follies, a More Than Ready mare who also produced grade 3 winner Night Prowler.