Chelsea Durand Photo

Saguaro Row rallies late to devour Pumpkin Pie

by Najja Thompson

Making her first start in New York since running second in the Shine Again this summer at Saratoga Race Course, Saguaro Row rallied from last to win the $100,000 Pumpkin Pie for fillies and mares on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Breaking from post 6 at odds of 4-1 with Joel Rosario aboard, Saguaro Row was last-of-seven as 3-2 post time favorite Philanthropic set fractions of 22.88 seconds for the opening quarter mile with the half going in 46.32.

At the quarter-pole, Philanthropic remained in front as Saguaro Row began her winning move traveling four-wide into the turn. Fully engaged and set into a drive in the late stretch, she rallied past Last True Love and extended away from Philanthropic to win by 4 1/4 lengths over the fast main track.

She completed the seven-furlong distance in a final time of 1:25.36.

"She broke a little slow. I rushed her a little bit to get her into the race and then I let her do what she wanted after that," said Rosario, who has been aboard Saguaro Row for three of her four career wins. "She tried very hard."

Returning $10.40 for a $2 win wager, the 4-year-old Union Rags filly for owners Newton Anner Stud and Mark Breen picked up her first career stakes victory and third win of the year from seven starts. Saguaro Row, bred in Kentucky by Breen, boosted her career earnings to $214,104.

"She's a nice filly. We were always confident in her," said Jose Vargas, assistant to winning trainer Michael Stidham. "Joel knows her very well. She trained well into this race. It's no surprise that she ran like that because she was training so well and she got the job done."

Following Philanthropic in second was Pink Sands, Last True Love, Majestic Reason, Honor Way and Golconda.