Poetic Panther gave Maletto a Grade I score in The NY, taking command early and never surrendering it under Rodriguez Jam. Sent off at 2-1, the 6-year-old mare controlled the race through every call and finished the 1 3/16-mile turf stake in 1:51.79, defeating a compact but accomplished field.

Race Recap

The NY was run at Saratoga over firm turf at 1 3/16 miles for fillies and mares four years old and up. The Grade I carried a purse of $750.000. Poetic Panther, owned and trained by Maletto, delivered a gate-to-wire victory with Rodriguez Jam aboard, giving her first win of 2026 after prior runner-up efforts in the CD Distaff Turf Mile-G2 and Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf-G2.

Poetic Panther established the lead immediately, showing in front by a half-length at the opening call while Credit Crime tracked closest in second. Rain Rattle was third early, Lady Hilltopper sat fourth, Itaintovertilitsover was fifth, Never In Charge was sixth, and November Storm trailed the field.

At the second call, Poetic Panther widened slightly to a one-length advantage, with Credit Crime still second and Rain Rattle holding third. Lady Hilltopper remained fourth, Itaintovertilitsover stayed fifth, Never In Charge continued sixth, and November Storm was still seventh.

By the third call, Poetic Panther remained clear by one length. Credit Crime continued in second, Lady Hilltopper advanced into third, Rain Rattle dropped to fourth, Itaintovertilitsover held fifth, Never In Charge was sixth, and November Storm remained last.

Through the stretch, Poetic Panther maintained control and completed the job by one length. Credit Crime held second after chasing throughout, Lady Hilltopper finished third as the defending winner, November Storm closed from last to fourth, Never In Charge finished fifth, Itaintovertilitsover was sixth, and Rain Rattle faded to seventh.

Each Runner Mentioned

Poetic Panther controlled the race from the start and finished first for Maletto and Rodriguez Jam.

Credit Crime ran a strong race at 16-1, staying closest to the winner throughout and finishing second.

Lady Hilltopper, last year’s winner of The NY, settled in fourth early, moved into third by the third call, and completed the top three.

November Storm trailed early but made up position late to finish fourth.

Never In Charge raced sixth through most of the running and finished fifth.

Itaintovertilitsover remained in the second flight early but could not improve late and finished sixth.

Rain Rattle was third early, slipped back through the later calls, and finished seventh.

About The Winner

Poetic Panther is by Lil Pink Panther out of Poetic Dancer, bred by Two Hearts One Love in Florida, and is owned by Maletto. With this victory, her lifetime record stands at 39 starts, 14 wins, 13 seconds, and 7 thirds, with career earnings of $5,086.520.

Track: Firm
Time: :47²  1:10⁴  1:34¹  1:51³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 4 Paid 34.90
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 4 – 1 Paid 200.90

Scratched: None

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES