Serene Melody got a perfect trip under jockey Sophie Doyle to win the 34th running of the $50,000 Wintergreen Stakes at Turfway Park Saturday, drawing off to win by 2-1/2 lengths over the late-charging City of Trix.
The 7-5 favorite, Emotional Kitten, was third, 2-3/4 lengths farther back.
The Wintergreen, one mile for older fillies and mares over Polytrack, was the first stakes win for Serene Melody.
“(Serene Melody) was in great form coming into the race,” said Doyle, who rode for trainer Charlie LoPresti. “I knew in the paddock she was on her toes quite a lot. She broke real fast, and actually she put herself into the race, so I just sat and enjoyed the ride.”
With just two horses to her outside in the gate, Serene Melody broke quickly to bide her time a couple of lengths behind and outside the :23.63 and :47.46 pace set by Elegant Model. The winner cruised to the lead before the six-furlong mark and drew away to finish in 1:38.12.
“Down the backside she was pretty keen, so about the three-eighths pole I said, ‘Right, let’s just start smoothing along,’” Doyle said. “The longer you sit on her, the better she’ll go, and I waited until she switched leads up the stretch. Then I asked her to go on, and she did it impressively.”
Fourth and following were Compelling Case, Merilore, Sea Shadow, Elegant Model, Voodoothatyoudo, Julie’s Jewelry, Forensic, Diez Dancer and Femme Fatale. Welcome Aboard was scratched by her trainer. Belle Natalie did not draw in.
The bettors’ second choice, Serene Melody paid $7.40 for the win, $4.40 to place and $2.80 to show.
The royally bred Serene Melody is a six-year-old bay mare by Street Cry (IRE) out of Serena’s Song, by Rahy. She was bred in Kentucky by her owner, the Robert and Beverly Lewis Trust. The Wintergreen score improves her record to four wins, three seconds and four thirds in 16 starts and her career earnings to $159,480.
The win was the second at Turfway for Serene Melody and her fourth in six starts on an all-weather track.
Turfway Park