Pilgrims Stunner stunned a distinguished field with an extended uncovered move over a “sloppy” surface that carried her to a 6-1 upset victory in Monday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows
More accustomed to performing in conditioned races, Pilgrims Stunner was part of a field boasting more than $3.2 million in combined lifetime earnings; when she got away seventh for Aaron Merriman and moved first over past the half, her prospects appeared dim. But she gathered in the leader, Hawaiianphotograph, around the final turn and held on to down the fast-closing Careless Love by a neck in 1:57.1. A trapped in Caviar Forthe Lady, the 4-5 favourite, shot the Lightning Lane for third.
Bill Bercury trains and owns Pilgrims Stunner, a six-year-old daughter of Broadway Hall-Armbro Stunning who pushed her career bankroll to $250,411.
Merriman and Tony Hall each drove three winners on the 15-race card.
(The Meadows)