Photo: Jim McCue

It seemed like only a matter of time before multiple graded stakes performer Yawanna Twist would end up in the winner’s circle after a big race, and the moment came on President’s Day at Laurel Park, when the 5-year-old son of Yonaguska owned and bred by Steel Your Face Stables captured the $200,000, Grade 2 General George Handicap as 9-5 favorite.

Making his 5-year-old debut in the 7-furlong General George, Yawanna Twist was last seen returning after a seven-month layoff to score a visually impressive six-plus length allowance victory at Aqueduct on New Year’s Eve. After four regular intervening works, including two bullets, trainer Rick Dutrow blew him out three furlongs on Saturday (3 furlongs in 35.38 seconds).

On the board three times in prior graded tries – third in the 2011 Grade 1 Carter H. and second in the 2010 Grade 3 Illinois Derby and 2010 Grade 3 Gotham S. – not to mention his close-up fourth place finish in the 2010 Grade 1 Preakness S., Yawanna Twist had the strong support of backers at post time to the tune of 9-5 odds. This, even in the face of accomplished rivals like uncoupled stablemate This Ones for Phil, a five-time stakes winner wheeling back on two days rest, Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner Toby’s Corner and the hard hitting New York-based Caixa Eletronica. Regular rider Mike Luzzi made the trip to Laurel to ride.

After four horses broke sharply including Yawanna Twist, This Ones for Phil separated himself from the rest to take the field through a first quarter in 23.07 and half in 45.57 under Ramon Dominguez. A length behind and three abreast, Yawanna Twist had the rail, Caixa Eletronica raced in between horses and Fordangshore ran on the outside. Toby’s Corner loomed a close-up fourth.

After three quarters in 1:09.77, Yawanna Twist moved up at the rail to challenge for the lead. He took over from stablemate This Ones for Phil just shy of the final sixteenth and edged away to get the win by one-half length. Toby’s Corner, making his first start since the Wood, closed into third another half-length back. The final time for the seven furlongs was 1:22.38.

Jockey Mike Luzzi said, “He’s a little racehorse and you can see his record. He tries every time but we got him great this year. I think he’s probably the best he’s ever been.” Luzzi was also full of praise for Dutrow. “He is a real horse trainer-old timer kind of style. To be in his barn is unbelievable. This horse blew out . . . I didn’t want to squeeze the lemons. He is such a good trainer. He knows all his horses, loves all his horses and he really likes this horse.” Formerly Maryland-based, Luzzi was winning the General George for the third time. Dutrow won the 2004 renewal with Well Fancied.

Yawanna Twist is now an impressive 5-3-1 from 11 career starts and upped his earnings on Monday to $482,467.

Bred by owners Jim Riccio, Jeffrey Bonner and Frank Argano of Steel Your Face Stables, and foaled at Hickory Hill Farm Thoroughbreds, LLC, Yawanna Twist is the first foal out of Twist and Pop, a Florida-bred by Oliver Twist. Twist and Pop was claimed by Steel Your Face Stables in March 2004 for $22,500 before going on to become a stakes-winner for the Dutrow barn. She earned $233,910 in four campaigns.

Twist and Pop’s other winning foal, three-year-old Pop Pop’s Smyle by Whywhywhy – also bred and owned by Steel Your Face Stables – broke her maiden at second asking at Aqueduct on January 29. The mare has a 2-year-old filly by E Dubai, a yearling filly by Big Brown and was bred last year to Tale of the Cat.

The only time Yawanna Twist was offered at auction, he failed to meet his reserve when bid up to $70,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Photo: Adam Coglianese

On President’s Day Camelia J. Casby’s 7-year-old homebred Law Enforcement, by New York’s leading sire Posse, scored his first stakes victory since back-to-back scores in 2009, taking the 34th running of Aqueduct’s $75,000 Hollie Hughes S. by 1 1/4 lengths after closing into a hot pace.

In his last start prior to the Hollie Hughes, Law Enforcement closed late into a runner-up finish behind Dr Disco in the Vodka Stakes at Aqueduct on December 4. Third choice in the wagering at post time for the 6-furlong Hollie Hughes at odds of 3-1, Law Enforcement was partnered with Alan Garcia for the sixth time for his 26th career start.

Five of the seven New York-breds in the Hollie Hughes field owned early speed, and as the race unfolded, the lead changed multiple times with unrelenting pressure on the front end. Head Heart Hoof was out of the gate quickest from his outside post, but the pair who went on with an early duel were Bug Juice and Freudian Dilemma. As the opening quarter went in 22.33, Law Enforcement loped along comfortably in last, as much a dozen lengths off the lead.

In the far turn, the second flight – Dr Disco and Head Heart Hoof – caught and circled the early leaders and, after a half-mile run in 45.72, Dr Disco briefly grabbed the lead before Head Heart Hoof took over, while Law Enforcement began to make up ground from the rear to come within five lengths of the leaders.

After getting closer to striking range in mid stretch, Law Enforcement angled out, found his best stride and, in the final sixteenth, passed Head Heart Hoof before edging away to a 1 1/4-length victory, while Head Heart Hoof managed to keep a head in front of Be Bullish, who was closing at the rail, to preserve the place. The final time for the six furlongs was a snappy 1:10.95. Dr Disco, Ground Force, Freudian Dilemma and Bug Juice completed the order of finish.

After the race jockey Alan Garcia said, “My horse was calm and relaxed. I had plenty of confidence because I saw there was a lot of speed in the race, so I wanted to be patient and save some ground. When it came time to move, my horse responded.”

Saul Castellanos, assistant to Law Enforcement’s trainer Mark Hennig, said, “We were hoping for a lot of speed, and the jockey did a great job.” He added that they will plan Law Enforcement’s next start after they “see how everything looks back at the barn.”

Law Enforcement now has four stakes victories to his credit: the 2007 renewal of the Aspirant S. at Finger Lakes (with Alan Garcia aboard then also), and back-to-back scores in 2009 in Belmont’s Promonroe and Saratoga’s John Morrissey. He has finished second in five additional state-bred stakes. The Hollie Hughes victory improved his record to 6-8-1 from 26 starts and increased his earnings to $449,888.

A bay horse, bred by Casby and foaled at Myrwood Farm, Law Enforcement is out of the unraced Lord at War (ARG) mare Zambezi Belle, who has produced three other winners from three foals to start. Law Enforcement’s victory gives leading New York sire Posse (Vinery New York at Sugar Maple) his first stakes winner of 2012.

Questroyal Stud announced today that it has signed a contract to purchase Sez Who North, a 265-acre farm in Stillwater, New York outside of Saratoga Springs. Gus Schoenborn Jr., former owner of Contemporary Stallions near Coxsackie, will be a 25 percent minority owner of the property.

Barry R. Ostrager, owner of Questroyal Stud and Board President of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), said, “This property is obviously a good place to breed horses and now is the time to breed horses in New York – there has just never been a better time to breed and race New York-breds.”

Sez Who North, owned from 2001 to 2009 by Richard Simon, was named leading New York breeder for three consecutive years, from 2005 to 2007, and led the state’s breeders in both earnings and stakes winners from 2005 to 2009 (with a tie for stakes winners in 2009). At one time the farm was home to nearly 1000 thoroughbreds.

Ostrager added, “Questroyal and Gus Schoenborn have managed some of the most outstanding stallions ever to stand in New York, including most notably, City Zip, Belong To Me, [Grade 1 Preakness and Grade 1 Belmont winner] Hansel, Gold Token, and others.” Questroyal presently stands Marsh Side, Roaring Fever, and Patriot Act.

Jeffrey Cannizzo, Executive Director of NYTB, said, “It’s really great to see one of the largest most important thoroughbred farms in the state being revitalized and reintroduced into our newly-enhanced program. For another large commercial farm to reopen its doors is yet another vote of confidence in the bright future of New York breeding and racing.”

The Sez Who property has 120 stalls and a stallion facility. The transaction is scheduled to close on February 21.

Photo: Adam Coglianese

One of four 3-year-old state-bred fillies stretching out for the first time in Aqueduct’s Sunday co-feature, the $75,000 Windswept Wings Stakes, Broman homebred Beautiful But Blue met the challenge with ease, leading the way through moderate fractions on her way to a two-length victory in the one mile and 70 yard contest.

A daughter of El Corredor trained by Tom Bush, Beautiful But Blue was looking for her third straight victory in state-bred competition on Sunday. A large dark bay filly with a distinctive blaze, Beautiful But Blue broke her maiden in her fourth career start on the Aqueduct main track on November 23. Next out on December 28 she scored an open-length tally in an allowance race on the inner oval. Both victories came at six furlongs from a stalking position over off going with Junior Alvarado aboard. Partnered again with Alvarado on Sunday and drawn at the rail, Beautiful But Blue was bet down to third choice in the wagering at odds of 9-2.

On paper Beautiful But Blue’s main rival in the eight-filly field would be 6-5 favorite Peggy Jane, whose only defeat in three starts came at the hands of the mighty Agave Kiss, to whom she finished a solid second in their mutual debuts. Campaigned by Barbara Banke’s Grace Stables and trained by Steve Asmussen, Peggy Jane owned the best last-out Beyer Speed Figure of the eight (78) and, like Beautiful But Blue, was looking to parlay two six-furlong victories into a route win. She had post three under Ramon Dominguez.

Beautiful But Blue broke well and set the pace in hand along the inside, tracked by Peggy Jane through a moderate half in 49.57. The two continued one-two around the track about a length apart. In upper stretch, Beautiful But Blue opened up on her rival and drove on to the wire, winning in the end by two lengths after Peggy Jane closed ground. The final time was a comfortable 1:45.42. Peggy Jane crossed the wire second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of longshot Mischief Maker.

Alvarado said, “I had a lot of horse, and I had to take her back all the way or go the lead. I had ridden the filly before and knew she had enough speed to get out real quick. I went to the lead and tried to relax her, and she did everything else by herself. She’s a big filly, and when I rode her [in six-furlong races] after she would keep bounding around the turn, so I knew she’d be good going a longer distance.”

Jose Calderon, assistant to trainer Tom Bush, said that Beautiful But Blue has been developing from start to start. “After each race, she’s been a totally different filly,” Calderon said. “She’s growing into herself, and mentally she’s learning. I said, ‘If she takes the lead, just go ahead.’ We didn’t want her to get rank and uncomfortable.”

Beautiful But Blue, who is now 3-0-0 from six starts ($106,000), is the third and last reported foal out of the multiple stakes-winning Dixie Brass mare Beautiful America campaigned by the Bromans ($523,927). Both of her prior foals are winners, 6-year-old Scorch the Torch by Smoke Glacken ($150,000) and 5-year-old Backcountry Boy by Smarty Jones ($61,022).

Photo: Adam Coglianese

WellSpring Stables homebred Stormy’s Majesty chalked up a fourth career stakes victory at Aqueduct on Sunday, going to the front in the $75,000 Mr. G.J.G. Stakes under C. C. Lopez and never looking back, ultimately prevailing by a half-length over a wide-running, late-closing Inherit the Gold.

Though the field was reduced to six after trainer Graham Motion scratched Icabad Crane due to an inflamed left foreleg, the Mr. G.J.G. shaped up as a competitive mile and 70 yard contest for older New York-breds, headlined by a pair of Grade 3 winners.

Stormy’s Majesty (Stormy Atlantic), winner of the 2010 renewal of the Grade 3 Discovery H., had not visited the winner’s circle since taking the Noble Nashua at Aqueduct last April. Off-the board last out in the Alex M. Robb on New Year’s Eve following a poor break and a grabbed quarter, he was fourth choice in the wagering for the Mr. G.J.G.at odds of 5-1. Trainer Dominic Galluscio tapped C.C. Lopez for the first time to ride the 5-year-old.

Favored to win the Mr. G.J.G.at odds of 4-5 was last year’s Grade 3 Excelsior hero, 6-year-old Inherit the Gold (Gold Token). Winner last out of the 1/16-mile Haynesfield Stakes by 6 1/4 lengths with an explosive late run for trainer Jim Hooper in a final time of 1:43.05 for a 104 Beyer, the popular grey gelding was reunited for the first time in six starts with jockey Eddie Castro, back after injury.

Following the break, Stormy’s Majesty assumed the lead within the first dozen strides or so, and continued on the front end, pressed by second choice Groomedforvictory (5-2), who was third by a neck in the Alex Robb, and longshot Robb winner Spa City Fever. The remaining three raced head-to-head three lengths from the front, with Inherit the Gold running three wide for the first part of the race from his outside post.

Through the far turn Stormy’s Majesty opened up two lengths on his pursuers, while Inherit the Gold moved up four wide and gained second around the three-eighths pole. Stormy’s Majesty kept on with good energy for the final furlong to get the victory by 1/2 length as Inherit the closed well, but fell short.

Stormy’s Majesty stopped the clock after 1 mile and 70 yards at 1:42.92 after recording fractions of 23.84, 47.45, and 1:11.60. Star of New York (5-1), coming back on short rest for trainer Rick Dutrow after winning an open company first-level allowance on Wednesday, rallied for third, and Uncle T Seven, Spa City Fever and Groomedforvictory completed the order of finish.

Winning jockey C.C. Lopez said, “Dominic had expressed that he might choke up a little if you grabbed him too much. To my heart’s delight, he broke and I was able to take a long hold. When he got to the lead going to the elbow, I was able to take that long hold and let him breathe. And from there, I just had to keep him interested.” Lopez added, “He ran his eyeballs out and I was glad I was able to hold off the onslaught of Inherit the Gold. The horse ran really, really well.”

Dominic Galluscio alluded to Stormy’s Majesty’s trouble in the Robb: “Last time he ran he stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance. He likes to run free. Today we got out well. The gray horse [Inherit the Gold] was coming at us, but we held him off.  Inherit the Gold is a good horse, but we had a tactical pace advantage.” Galluscio said that he would probably point Stormy’s Majesty to the 1 1/16-mile Kings Point to be run on March 3.

Grade 3 winner Stormy’s Majesty has now won four stakes races in all, at least one in each of the last three years, and has finished second in three more, including the Grade 3 Queen’s County. His career record now stands at 7-3-0 from fifteen starts, with $336,649 in earnings.

Bred by Majesty Stud partners Robert Vukovich, who now operates WellSpring Stables, and the late Digby Barrios, Stormy’s Majesty is the first foal from Raffie’s Dream, a stakes-placed daughter of New York stallion Raffie’s Majesty who stands at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag, where Stormy’s Majesty was foaled. Stormy’s Majesty’s half-brother, four-year-old Dream Drop Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), is a multiple winner ($72,611) and Raffie’s Dream has also produced two full siblings to Stormy’s Majesty, a yearling filly and a 2012 filly born on January 28.

Edition Farm, twice named TOBA New York Breeder of the Year, announced on Sunday that Fred Winters has been appointed farm manager. A graduate of Arizona State University with a B.S. in Agriculture, Winters has run his own farm, managed Lazy Lane Farm in Kentucky and worked with Ron Wallace at Farm Equine Management.

Craig Bandoroff, whose Denali Stud recently entered into a “Strategic Alliance” with Vivien Malloy’s Edition Farm said, “Mrs. Malloy and I are very excited to have Fred managing Edition Farm. He brings a lifetime of experience in farm management in the thoroughbred industry.  We are confident that he will be a strong asset for our clients and their goals.”

Winters said, “I am humbled to have been selected as farm manager for the twice honored New York Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year. I am looking forward to working with both teams to develop the Strategic Alliance, to the benefit of all of our clients.”

Photo: Adam Coglianese

Kidwells Petite Stable’s Pretension, by top-three New York sire Bluegrass Cat, survived a late charge by dual stakes-winner Swag Daddy to garner his first stakes victory in Aqueduct’s featured $75,000 Sweet Envoy Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds on Saturday.

Never worse than second in four starts prior to the Sweet Envoy, Pretension got nailed at the wire in the Damon Runyon on December 4 by Swag Daddy (Scat Daddy), who made a last-to-first run to get the victory. The two went their separate ways in their subsequent starts, Pretension finishing second in an open first-level allowance race at Laurel Park on January 2 for trainer Christopher Grove (1 1/16-miles), and Swag Daddy collecting his second straight stakes victory in the Restoration S. at Aqueduct on New Year’s Eve (1 mile 70 yards) for trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr.

Second choice at post time under Javier Santiago at odds of 7-2, Pretension broke from post seven of eight, while favored Scat Daddy (3-5) had the rail with Junior Alvarado in the irons.

After a sharp break by Swag Daddy, who then dropped back, and a brief bid by Sportswriter, second-time starter Summer Breezing went on with it, showing the way for the first three-quarters of a mile (1:14.31) after early fractions of 23.84 and 48.67. Pretension tracked in third never more than three lengths from the front, while Swag Daddy rated mid-pack in fifth early on.

As the field turned for home Sportswriter grabbed the lead from Summer Breezing, but was overhauled by Pretension just shy of the eighth pole. In the final furlong, Swag Daddy launched a strong surge and passed all but Pretension, but ended up short when Pretension hit the wire and stopped the clock at 1:43.87 with a 1 1/4-length advantage. Sportswriter finished 1/2 length further back in third. [VIDEO]

Winning trainer Christopher Grove said, “I couldn’t have been happier with [Pretension]. It was exactly what Javier and I talked about: just sit right off them. I actually thought he might show a little more speed, but it was a good ride.”

Jockey Javier Santiago concurred about the game plan: “The trainer told me to stay close, because my horse has speed. I sat a little bit behind the speed and when I was ready, I moved my horse. The last eighth I was waiting for the number one [Swag Daddy], they said the horse would finish strong, but my horse kept running and I knew I had the winner.”

Grove added, “The [Grade 3, $400,000] Gotham [on March 3] is on the calendar, even though it’s in three weeks. We’ll see how he comes out of it. He does like the track. We’re trying to get some graded money, as well, and everybody will. At this point, you have to tackle the tough ones.”

Bred by a partnership of Sequel Thoroughbreds, LLC and A. Lakin and Sons and foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, Pretension is the first foal out of the placed Street Cry (IRE) mare Main Streetin’, purchased in foal by Becky Thomas for $60,000 at the 2008 Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale. Pretension’s owners purchased him from Sequel Bloodstock (agent) for $75,000 at the 2011 OBS Select Two-Year-Old sale. In five starts Pretension has now compiled a record of 2-3-0 with $86,620 in earnings.

Main Streetin’ currently has a 2-year-old filly by Freud (Bamboo Stick) and a yearling colt by the same sire. She was bred last year to Hard Spun. Pretension’s sire, Bluegrass Cat, A Vinery/WinStar Venture, stands at Vinery New York at Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag.

Stakeholders from throughout New York State’s racing and agricultural industries announced on Monday, February 6 2012, the formation of a new advocacy group, The New York Horse Racing and Agriculture Industry Alliance, whose mission is to secure support for/protection of these critically important industries in any amendment to New York’s constitution to allow for full-scale commercial casinos.  This new group – which brings together for the first time New York State horsemen, breeders, farmers and agricultural industry representatives – is an informational alliance charged with protecting the current and future interests of a horse racing/agriculture industry that is responsible for 40,000 jobs across New York State.

What’s At Stake:

New York State’s racing-based Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) initiative was created by the New York State Legislature with the dual purpose of funding education and supporting a horse racing industry that is a major job-generator across virtually every region of the state.  The success of VLTs at New York’s harness tracks – and the significant economic multiplier effect of increased purse money invested back in our racing, breeding and agriculture industries – has led directly to a harness renaissance that has seen record prices at horse sales for New York-breds, tens of millions of dollars in investments in new breeding farms and agriculture here, and an influx of individuals in the racing game into New York State.  A similar renaissance in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industries is now beginning with the opening of the Aqueduct VLT facility.

Alliance Mission:

In light of all of these positive, proven economic gains, the Alliance believes that any legislative proposal to allow full-scale commercial casinos must include strong protections/legal mandates for these new gaming opportunities to provide similar contributions to the state’s job-intensive racing and agriculture industries.  

New York’s courts have endorsed the two concurrent goals of New York’s VLT initiative – securing continuing revenue for New York education and supporting racing/agriculture – and this critically important dual mission should not be compromised by any proposed constitutional amendment and/or enabling legislation.

Members of the Alliance – which is an informal, informational alliance of existing groups and organizations with similar interests, goals and messages, and which requests no dues and does not intend to expend independent funds – said:

“While we study new ways to stimulate the economy in our state, it is vitally important that we weigh each decision to make sure that we continue to preserve and protect industries that already support tens of thousands of jobs,” said Dean Norton President of New York Farm Bureau. “The equine industry that includes farmers and breeders is a perfect example. Any move toward full scale casino gambling must include specific provisions that will continue the State’s long-standing policy of using such revenues to support New York Racing and Agriculture. This is a case where it is very important to look closely before we leap.”

Jeffrey Cannizzo, Executive Director of the NY Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc, stated, “The first topic to come up in most discussions of the gaming and racing industry is jobs. The fact is, the vast majority of the work force in gaming and racing comes directly or indirectly from the equine industry. The associations joining forces in this alliance represent a bloc of tax-paying workers 40,000 strong, who are employed from the breeding shed to the shed row and everywhere in between. We want to make sure that legislators hear the message that New York needs to protect the futures of such a large group with so much to contribute to the economic health of our state.”

Joe Faraldo, President of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York – and speaking on behalf of the Empire State Harness Horsemen’s Alliance – concluded, “While we know legislators are hearing from casino and racino owners about their interests, they will now also hear for the first time from an Alliance that represents the tens of thousands of New York horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, farmers, feed suppliers, breeders, grooms, blacksmiths and others who could potentially see their livelihoods threatened should a constitutional amendment be adopted without specific protections and support for New York racing and agriculture.”

Betty Holt, Executive Director of Harness Horse Breeders of NYS, states, “As a breeding organization representing the statewide interests of the Standardbred breeding industry, it is our responsibility to protect and enhance the revenue stream for agriculture and the economy in general within NYS.  Harness Horse Breeders of New York State seeks to advance and improve the breeding and quality of New York-eligible trotters and pacers, while increasing public awareness and enthusiasm for the sport of Harness Racing.”

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Rick Violette Jr. said, “The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association represents 5,000 members in an industry that supports some 40,000 jobs.  The revenue provided by Genting’s gaming venture at Aqueduct Racetrack has created even more jobs, and contributed to the improving health of our industry. We will follow with keen interest developments regarding expanded gaming, a convention center at Aqueduct, or any initiative that could affect our continued growth. While we would support any proposal that would prove positive for our industry and increase our already significant impact on the economy statewide, we would certainly be watchful for anything that might adversely affect the thousands of jobs, and hundreds of thousands of acres of green space, dependent upon us.”

Members of the New York Horse Racing and Agriculture Industry include:

Empire State Harness Horsemen’s Alliance
Harness Horse Association of Central NY
Harness Horse Breeders of New York State
Monticello Harness Horsemen’s Association
New York Farm Bureau
New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.
New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association
Standardbred Owners Association of NY
Western NY Harness Horsemen’s Association

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) announced the nominees for the New York-Bred Divisional Champions of 2011 on Monday. New York turf writers, handicappers, chart callers, racing analysts and others will vote on the winners in each division. The voters will also choose a New York-Bred Horse of the Year.

All the winners and their connections will be honored at NYTB’s Annual Awards Banquet on the evening of April 2, 2012 at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York. Also to be honored at the banquet will be Steeplechase Champion, Broodmare of the Year, Breeder of the Year, and leading New York-bred trainer and jockey.

The nominees for the 2011 New York-bred Divisional Champions are:

Photo: Adam Coglianese

Winner of her last start, the Cupid’s Way S. at Belmont on May 4, 2011, Big Brownie returned to the races on Friday afternoon after eight months on the bench just the way she left off – a winner – closing in the final furlong to capture Aqueduct’s $75,000 Holly Springs Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares.

A 6-year-old chestnut daughter of former New York sire Wheelaway, Big Brownie was seeking a third career stakes victory in the Holly Springs. Irad Ortiz, Jr. had the call for the first time for trainer Leah Gyarmati, who owns Big Brownie in partnership with Wide Rill Farm. Slightly favored in the betting (1.65-1) over stakes-winning speedster Saltamontes (1.75-1), Big Brownie went to post three of five, drawn just outside her main rival.

After the break, Saltamontes grabbed the lead and prevailed without a challenge before being joined in the far turn by the stalking Nicole’s Miss El. The two raced in tandem at the quarter pole, while Big Brownie, with Lady Gracenote to her inside, raced together two lengths back. The early fractions of the six-furlong contest went in 23.41 and 46.99.

Within the grounds of the final furlong Big Brownie began to close in earnest as did Lady Gracenote. As Big Brownie began to pass the leading pair to her inside, they both shifted out, closing down the passage for Lady Gracenote, who was forced to steady and change course. Big Brownie drew 1 1/4 lengths clear by the time she passed under the wire, while Lady Gracenote regrouped and closed well into second, a neck clear of Saltamontes, who nosed out Nicole’s Miss El for the show money. There was no change in the order of finish after a stewards’ inquiry and the final time for the six furlongs was 1:11.70.

Big Brownie adds her victory in the Holly Springs Stakes to a dominant score in the Staten Island Division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series at Aqueduct in November 2010, and a win in the Cupid’s Way in the Belmont slop in her last start prior to her layoff in May 2011. Having finished only once off the board in five starts last year, Big Brownie placed in three additional state-bred stakes at Aqueduct in 2011 (Leecoo, Broadway and Ruby Rubles). The Holly Springs win improves her career record to 5-6-3 from 19 starts and increases her earnings to $254,284.

Bred by Alain J. Falourd and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Big Brownie is the first foal from eight-time winner Mythical Brownie, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Lord Avie, who raced 36 times in three seasons and earned $169,611. Mythical Brownie currently has a winning four-year-old filly Warrior Marie, by Desert Warrior, a 2-year-old filly by the same sire (Jerusalem Stone) and a newly-turned yearling colt by Utopia. Mythical Brownie was bred last year to Alphabet Soup. Big Brownie’s sire, Wheelaway, stood at McMahon’s from 2003 to 2009.