LAUREL, MD. 11-19-11---R N R Stable’s Defy Gravity sat off a hotly contested pace but still needed to spilt the front runners in the final yards to win a spirited $75,000 Smart Halo Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Laurel Park Saturday afternoon.

The daughter of Bandini collared Dance to Bristol and morning line favorite Doe inside the sixteenth pole, winning by a half-length over a gutsyDance to Bristol. Terralba rallied for third. Defy Gravity covered the six-furlong distance in 1:11.16 and paid $4.80 as the 7-5 betting choice.

“She was all heart,” said winning rider Sheldon Russell said. “That hole was small but when I asked she went right on through.”

Lori Testerman conditions the filly, who was an allowance winner here in late September after finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Matron at Belmont Parkon 4^th of July weekend.

“She is still immature but good Lord is she gritty,” said Testerman, who conditioned multiple graded winning sprinter Disco Rico. “She has a tremendous amount of natural speed. We have been trying to get her to relax and save it for the end. Each race seems more promising and we are looking forward to a great 3-year-old year. She is the nicest horse in my barn and it is important that she does well.”

The winner improves her record to three victories in five starts for earnings of $72,570.