The sharp mare Vel Miss Taylor had things her own way at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday, May 30,, holding off a handful of challengers and securing her fifth straight score.

Leaving from post four in a $6,849 conditioned fillies and mares pace, the four-year-old daughter of Ponder was stung to the first quarter in :28 by Cash Crazy Express (Shawn Thayer).  From there driver McGwire Sowers was able to control the tempo more to his mare’s liking.  While enjoying a :59 half-mile mark breather, the outer flow started to materialize with Maggie At Bat (Aaron Hall) first over and pushing the pacesetter to a swifter 1:27.4 third panel.

Around the final turn Gowestyounggrace (Dave Ingraham) shot three-wide from sixth to march toward the wire with the pack.  A tight group of four horses engulfed the leader in the lane.  They tried valiantly to snap Vel Miss Taylor’s streak; however, the mare dug in gamely and outlasted her foes to grab victory from the jaws of defeat.  She prevailed by a neck in 1:57.3, a new seasonal best.

 The other co-favorite, Maggie At Bat finished in a dead heat for place with Gowestyounggrace.

Trained by Autym Robinson, Vel Miss Taylor is owned and was co-bred by Mo Coo Inc.  This was the mare’s tenth seasonal victory and fifth in a row, increasing her career bankroll to $137,653 with 27 wins.  She paid $4.60 to win as the 6-5 co-favourite.

Racing continues on Saturday, May 31 with 11 races, 10 of which are divisions of our Spring Pacing Series Late Closers.  

(with files from First Tracks Cumberland)