With a late kick in the stretch, Hope Jones' Party Boat overcame frontrunner Team of Teams to score by a length in the $100,000 Memories of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack April 23.
"I got clear turning for home and I was just trying to hold it together," winning jockey Joel Rosario said. "She responded very nicely with a nice finish. (Team of Teams) and (Dynatail) put in an honest pace. It wasn't too fast. It was just right. She put in a good finish today."
In the 1 1/16-mile test over firm turf, Team of Teams took the lead going into the first turn and set fractions of :24.47, :48.87, and 1:11.92 through six furlongs. Dynatail settled in second, while Party Boat tracked in third just outside of Dynatail. In her typical closing style, which won her the grade 3 Florida Oaks last time out, even-money favorite Fifty Five raced near the back of the six-horse field.
Heading into the stretch, Team of Teams held a 1 1/2-length advantage as Fifty Five attempted a run but was steadied coming out of the turn after travelling four wide. Party Boat surged in the final strides to overcome the frontrunner and stopped the clock in 1:42.05 for trainer Graham Motion. Fifty Five managed to finished third, 3 1/2 lengths back from Team of Teams.
Dynatail, Super Marina, and Art Institute completed the order of finish.
Party Boat returned $9.30, $4.50, and $2.50 across the board.
Bred by Fred W. Hertrich lll, the Into Mischief filly was last purchased at auction by Webb Carroll Training Center for $100,000 out of Darby Dan Farm's consignment to the 2015 Keeneland September sale.
As a 2-year-old, she won three of her five starts, including an off-the-turf edition of the Wait a While Stakes. Last time out, she ran third behind Dream Dancing in the March 4 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T). She now has four wins from eight starts, with earnings of $183,825.
