Late Night Pow Wow Extends Streak in Willa On the Move

Breeze Easy's Late Night Pow Wow, racing for the first time outside her native West Virginia, swept to the lead on the far outside and outran fellow graded stakes winner Ms Locust Point to capture the $100,000 Willa On the Move Nov. 24 at Laurel Park.

The seventh running of the Willa On the Move for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up was joined on the nine-race program by the 46th renewal of the $75,000 Geisha for Maryland-bred/sired females 3 and older, won by Victory Rally in her stakes debut.

With regular rider Fredy Peltroche aboard for trainer Javier Contreras, Late Night Pow Wow ($9.60) went six furlongs in 1:10.53 over a main track rated good for her seventh consecutive victory and ninth in 10 career starts. It was five lengths back to Barbara Fritchie (G2) winner Ms Locust Point, making her first start since June 30. Moonlit Song completed the trifecta a neck back.

"What a race, what a race. What a filly," Contreras said. "We knew we had a shot. She's the real deal."

Late Night Pow Wow had raced exclusively at her home base of Charles Town before Saturday, and entered the Willa On the Move off three straight stakes wins, highlighted by the Sept. 22 Charles Town Oaks (G3). She had a sharp half-mile work in :47 flat over Laurel's main track Nov. 20.

"We brought her up here (because) sometimes when you run from there they get a little tired," Contreras said. "We wanted her to get a good work in here and get used to the track, and it worked."

Peltroche, aboard for all of Late Night Pow Wow's races, settled the daughter of Fiber Sonde in fourth after Ms Locust Point emerged from a four-horse scramble with the lead and went the opening quarter-mile in a swift :22.02, pressed by Liz's Cable Girl. Ms Locust Point was still in front after a half in :47.02, but Peltroche tipped outside to launch their bid, and they skipped through the stretch to take command.

"This filly, she likes this track," Peltroche said. "She's a big filly, and that's why we worked here this week. She really likes this track."

Late Night Pow Wow's victory pushed her career bankroll to $409,400. She was bred by John Mckee out of the Indian Charlie mare Holy Pow Wow. Her sire, an unraced Unbridled's Song half brother to champion sprinter Speightstown  and multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Irap, stood the 2018 season at John Mckee's Beau Ridge Farm for a $1,000 fee.

Late Night Pow Wow had run each of her first nine races with Contreras as owner and trainer, making the Willa On the Move her first start for Breeze Easy. Her only loss came when second in the Its Binn Too Long Stakes April 21.

"Right now we're going to take a little time and talk to the new connections and see what they'd like to do with her," Contreras said, "but she deserves a little break right now."