Odds-on choice Quiet Giant took charge midway on the far turn and drew away under brisk handling from jockey Julien Leparoux to register a five-length win in the $252,500 Hill 'N' Dale Molly Pitcher Stakes (gr. II) Sept. 3 at Monmouth Park (VIDEO).
Quiet Giant sat off the early pace of Debonair Darling before putting away that rival and cruising through the lane.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Quiet Giant stepped the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.32 on a fast track.
Under top weight of 119 pounds, she returned $3.80, $2.40, and $2.20 as the 9-10 pick in the field of eight older fillies and mares. Payton d'Oro, who completed the $9.80 exacta and paid $3 and $2.60, finished second by 4 1/2 lengths with Gabriel Saez aboard. Absinthe Minded, ridden by Mike Luzzi, was 2 3/4 lengths clear in third, good for a $4.80 show mutuel.
Owned by the Estate of Edward P. Evans, the Virginia homebred Quiet Giant has won seven of her 12 lifetime outings with two seconds. The 4-year-old by Giant's Causeway from the Quiet American mare Quiet Dance has now earned $405,389.
Quiet Giant was coming off a 6 3/4-length romp in the Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth July 31. She is now two-for-two over the track.
“She broke very sharply today and got us into the race early,” said Leparoux. “She was so sharp today. After getting us involved in the race early, she just did everything on her own. Every time you ask her, she gives you the answer.”
Debonair Darling finished fourth, followed by Tesoro de Amor, Champagne d'Oro, Check Point, and Blind Date. Arena Elvira scratched.
The Molly Pitcher belonged to Quiet Giant.
Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO