Alda Gives Velazquez Friday Stakes Triple in Hilltop

BALTIMORE – Alda got to the lead at the top of the stretch and outran the field to the wire to capture Friday’s $100,000 Hilltop Stakes by a neck at Pimlico Race Course.

After winning his 3rd stakes race of the afternoon jockey John Velazquez said “The horses are running good [for me]. It’s all about the horses.”

Seasons, Arm Candy, and Mia Martina completed the order. Il Malocchio, Double Fireball, and Out of Sorts all scratched from the Hilltop.

Winning Trainer Graham Motion said “He [Jockey John Velazquez] had plenty of horse. We liked her last year. She came really close in the Grade I in Canada [second in Natalma Stakes at Woodbine, Sept. 20]. I probably misjudged her a little bit by sprinting her the last time. I thought we could get away with it. It obviously set her up well for today. I think this is what she wants to do. How hot is Johnny today? He’s on fire.”

This is the first win of Alda’s 3-year-old season. The daughter of Munnings improved her record to 7-3-1-1 and has earned $186,950 for owners Wertheimer and Frere

Alda returned $17.40 to win, $8.20 to place, and $5.20 to show.