Candida H. Drives to Victory in Conniver
Candida H. Drives to Victory in Conniver
Pimentel Wins Two on Birthday
McCarthy Wins Three More
LAUREL, MD - Candida H., a 4-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, drove past the stakes-winner Brenda's Way down the stretch Saturday to win the $75,000 Conniver Stakes at Laurel Park.
Trained by Michael Trombetta, Candida H. was ridden to victory by Julian Pimentel, who was celebrating his 35th birthday Saturday. Candida H. covered the seven furlongs in 1:24.05.
Candida H., a winner of three of 10 starts for owners Fitzhugh LLC., won two of four starts last year before Trombetta gave the filly time off from April through November.
"She's a big filly," Trombetta said. "We had her last year and got several races out of her then stopped on her and gave her some time. I think this is her third start and I think she's rounding into form pretty well."
Brenda's Way, winner of the Geisha Stakes last spring, set an opening quarter of :23.18 and a half in :46.19 before Candida H. rallied five-wide and took the lead shortly after hitting the stretch. Brenda's Way finished second, 2 1/2-lengths behind the winner and three-quarters of a length in front of Miss Bullistic in third.
"It looks like she'll go further," said Trombetta of Candida H., who entered the Conniver off a pair of second-place finishes at Laurel in allowance optional claimers. "She did good in her only grass start (third). so the future looks pretty good around here.
Candida H. paid $10.80. It was one of Pimentel's two winners on the day.
McCarthy Wins Three More
Jockey Trevor McCarthy, who won three races Friday, had another hat trick on Saturday's program.
McCarthy won with Kyleigh's Smile ($6.20) in the first race, Savvy Joe ($17.40) in the second and Mettemarlamelva ($4.40) in the ninth.
