ELMONT, NY – Sixth in this race a year ago, Saul Kupferberg’s Honor Way was a clear winner of Sunday’s $80,000 Pumpkin Pie Stakes at Belmont Park.
Honor Way broke from post 4 under Jose Ortiz as the 5/2 second choice and settled off the pace while remaining clear of any kickback from her rivals.
The 2/1 favorite Never Enough Time posted opening fractions of :22.47 and :45.13 before Pacific Gale and Honor Way raced by her near the top of the stretch.
Honor Way drew off easily from Pacific Gale once she straightened for home and Ortiz wrapped her up at the 1/16 pole before she crossed 4 1/2 lengths much the best.
The Charlton Baker trainee completed the 7-furlong sloppy (sealed) main track sprint in 1:22.98.
“It was a small field and I was able to wait 2 or 3 lengths back,” Ortiz said. “Every time she’s in that kind of position, I know she’s going to run home. She doesn’t mind (the slop). She’s an old mare and has run through everything. I was very confident passing the 3/8 pole.”
Pacific Gale held second by 3 1/2 lengths over Never Enough Time. Bronx Beauty and Gotham Gala completed the strung-out order of finish.
Alisio, the 5/2 morning line favorite, was scratched.
Honor Way’s win was her first at the stakes level and third of the year, improving her career record to 40-12-8-7 with $622,892 earned. The 6-year-old Caleb’s Posse mare was exiting a second-place showing in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2), won by Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) contender Frank’s Rockette.
“7 furlongs is her distance and she was doing great coming into this race,” Baker said. “She doesn’t mind the slop and those things came together. The pace helped a lot and she put herself in a nice position. Once she was that close, she always finishes. She carries her game with her every time. It doesn’t matter what the track is.”
Honor Way returned $7.30 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.40 to show. Pacific Gale brought back $5.70 to place and $3.10 to show, while Never Enough Time paid $2.50 to show.
