Miss Temple City added the Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico today to her resume. Although it wasn’t Graded and she has previously been Graded Stakes placed, it was her first Stakes win, the race was very competitive and John Velazquez rode her with confidence. Many congratulations to owners Sagamore Form, Allen Rosenblum and The Club Racing.
Miss Temple City Handy in Hilltop
Miss Temple City ran to her 6-5 favoritism May 15, taking the $100,000 Hilltop Stakes presented by Rams Head Group at Pimlico Race Course and notching her first stakes score.
Rated patiently by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in second off the pace of frontrunner Lady Zuzu, the 3-year-old filly from the first crop of Temple City made her move turning for home In the 1 1/16-mile turf test and kicked clear in the final furlong to win by 2 3/4 lengths.
“She was going so well that I was real comfortable with where she was early,” Velazquez said. “She was going at it really easy. Once I passed the horse on the lead, I had to keep her a little busy because before the race she was looking around and not really paying attention. (But) during the race she was a professional.”
Great race and strong finish.