The Eatontown Stakes (Grade 3)- $150.000 Purse
MTH- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf
June 15, 2024

Poetic Panther came into the Eatontown Stakes hot and was hoping to make it her third straight win. Her previous two victories came at a mile and a half, and she would not have to run as long today, something that would not seem to be a problem for her. In the Eatontown Stakes, she would run a smart race, sitting a couple lengths off the lead early on before deciding it was time to strike, and the result was the Eatontown victory! The filly is trained by Maletto, who wins the race for the first time. It’s the second win in the stake for jockey J A Vargas Jr. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:39.92, the third quickest in the race’s history. Let’s have a look at it now:

(1/4 Mile- :23.44)- No one seemed to be particularly hurried to get to the race lead out of the gate, but eventually it would be Indian Spear looking to take that top spot. The Paradise Stable entry was clear by a length entering the turn, with Threshold’s Voltaire running in second while in an outer lane. Black N Gold Stable’s Favorite Sister was within a half-length of her on the rail, and between these two is where we find out eventual winner from Maletto, Poetic Panther. For now, she’s in a good spot to run her race the way J A Vargas Jr sees fit. Ponzi Scheme (TwinTowersRacing) and Directors Chair (Nakamura Stables) are a length behind and Bombing For Peace (Jerry Garcia Racing) keeps to herself at the back for now.

(½ Mile- :47.01)- Indian Spear continues to lead the way over the first half of the race with no one trying to challenge her. She has not pulled far away, though, as Voltaire is stalking her closely, just a length behind and Favorite Sister does similarly while on the rail in third. Earlier, we had seen Poetic Panther running between these two, but she would back off just enough to be a length behind Favorite Sister now, as Ponzi Scheme looked to get by to her outside. Directors Chair was next, and it’s about three more lengths to Bombing For Peace.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- The backstretch run would conclude in much the same manner, but as they approached the turn, we see Voltaire showing more interest in making a push for the lead. As they reached the top of the stretch, Indian Spear and Voltaire were neck and neck for the lead. Poetic Panther had not made a push quite yet, but what she did do is simply stay right behind Voltaire, never letting that one get more than a length ahead of her, so she would be positioned well in the stretch. Also, with a clear lane here would be Favorite Sister, so that one would certainly have no excuses. Directors Chair was lacking response and Ponzi Scheme… what the heck is this, post-time favorite as well as our pick, Ponzi Scheme? I feel scammed as that one backs out! Bombing For Peace was hitting her best stride and now looking to make an outside run to the front. Could Jerry Garcia Racing score another big win at MTH?

(Finish- 1:39.92)- Voltaire is the better of the two frontrunners, but early in the stretch, Poetic Panther was clearly not going to be content with running behind that one any longer, as she moved to the third lane for her own bid. Approaching the wire, she would complete the pass for the win and does so by half a length. It was tight for second as Voltaire holds off the late running Bombing For Peace and fourth place Favorite Sister. Directors Chair, Indian Spear and Ponzi Scheme round it out.

About The Winner- Poetic Panther, trained by Maletto, and ridden to victory by J A Vargas Jr, is a four-year-old filly by Lil Pink Panther and is out of the late Poetic Dancer. She was bred by Two Hearts One Love in Florida as a first quarter two-year-old and was acquired by Maletto for $19.050 from Mb Stables in the September 2022 auction. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her eighth in 19 starts, her fifth stake win and third graded win. Her career earnings are now $583.520.

Track: Firm
Time: :23²  :47  1:10³  1:39⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 4 Paid 120.50
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 4 – 6 Paid 1,083.70

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES