Quidnaskra was winning for the tenth time in 31 starts. The 7-year-old was making her first start since last October, and scored her first stakes victory since taking the Beautiful Day Handicap last July. She has earned just under $400,000 lifetime. (Chart, Equibase)
Quidnaskra tracked a slow early pace, pulled away on the second turn, and prevailed by three-quarters of a length to capture the $125,000 Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Preakness undercard. Quidnaskra was ridden to victory by Chris McCarron for trainer Mary Eppler and owners Herbert Hogg and William Wise. Quidnaskra was bred in Kentucky by Mrs. Henry D. Paxson.Morena Park grabbed the early Gallorette lead and was able to clear off early from Quidnaskra and Watch, opening up a two-length lead while going a modest :24.97 for the quarter and :51.15 for the half-mile. Morena Park maintained her advantage up the backstretch, but after a slow three-quarters in 1:16.00, the winner began closing in on the second turn. Grabbing the lead as they turned for home, Quidnaskra and McCarron showed the way home in 1:46.73 for the 1 1/16 miles. Putting in a determined late run was De Aar and Pat Day from off the pace, but their rally just fell short. Step With Style finished third, with Morena Park weakening to fourth.Quidnaskra, a daughter of Halo out of Miss Jove by Northern Jove, paid $15.80, $6.20, and $4.00. De Aar was good for $4.80 and $3.40, while Step With Style returned $3.20. The $2 exacta returned $92.80.
