Summer Colony is conditioned by Mark Hennig and was ridden by John Velazquez. The winner's share pushed her lifetime earnings past the $400,000 mark. Summer Colony has now won half of her 14 trips to the post. She paid $5.60 for the win. (Chart, Equibase)
Summer Colony survived an eyeball to eyeball run through the Pimlico stretch with Dancethruthedawn to win the $150,000 Pimlico Breeders' Cup Distaff Handicap (gr. III) by a nose, kicking off the stakes action on Black-Eyed Susan day.Summer Colony, owned and bred by Edward P. Evans, made it seven wins in her last eight starts. She finished second in her previous start, the grade II Rampart Handicap at Gulfstream Park in March. Earlier this year she took the grade II La Canada at Santa Anita. The 4-year-old Summer Colony is by Preakness winner Summer Squall out of the Pleasant Colony mare Probable Colony.Netherland broke to a clear lead, followed by the winner along with Stanza and Dancethruthedawn. Netherland maintained her advantage until the second turn, when Summer Colony and Dancethruthedawn hooked up and the real running began. Not more than a head separated the two the entire length of the Pimlico stretch. Summer Colony hit the wire a nostril in front in 1:42.49 for the 1 1/16 miles. Happily Unbridled finished third, with Shiny Sheet fourth.
