Miss Temple City Wins Hilltop Stakes

BALTIMORE (AP/WJZ) -- A new filly makes her mark in the world of thoroughbred horse racing.

In the annual pre-Preakness Black-Eyed Susan event Friday at Pimlico in Baltimore, Miss Temple City took home the crown in the 43rd running of the Hilltop Stakes.

It's her first career win.

"I am really high on this filly. She just keeps getting better and better. We really felt confident coming into this race because she just missed in her last two. We're going to aim her for the Coronation at Ascot (June 19th)," said Graham Motion, Miss Temple City's trainer.

The race featured 3-year-old fillies and is worth $250,000.

One of the top entrants was Ahh Chocolate,  who won both of her previous career races. The favorite was Luminance, trained by Bob Baffert, who also trains Kentucky Derby winner American Pharaoh. But Miss Temple City took the win instead.

"She was going so well that I was real comfortable with where she was early. She was going at it really easy. Once I passed the horse on the lead, I had to keep her a little busy because before the race she was looking around and not really paying attention. During the race she was a professional," said jockey John Velazquez.

Narrowly beaten in a pair of graded stakes earlier this year, Miss Temple City is owned by Glyndon, Md.-based Sagamore Farm, Allen Rosenblum and The Club Racing LLC.

The Preakness takes place tomorrow on the same track.