Driver Yannick Gingras sent the Ron Burke-trained Shadow Play filly to the front heading to a :27.1 opening quarter with Play The Bell sitting pocket and Kendall Seelster behind that in third. Unchallenged through a :55.4 half, Percy Bluechip faced a far-turn challenge from Quints Dream first over.
By three-quarters in 1:24.1, Percy Bluechip spun into the stretch being chased by Quints Dream hanging outside in second. Kendall Seelster, shuffled at the rail, edged wide and lunged late after the pacesetter nearing the wire but managed to get second from Quints Dream. Write Me A Song, trailing around the final turn, stormed through the grandstand side for fourth.
“From last year I remember her being a hot filly so I tried to keep her quiet last time and the whole time, the whole race, I loose lined,” Gingras said after the race. “So today I kind of worked her up a little bit and I thought she raced good—I thought maybe she’d kick clear a little easier in the stretch but it’s cold and I’m not sure the front has been good all night so she dug in and got the job done.”
Purchased earlier this season by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Purnel And Libby LLC and Donald Emond, Percy Bluechip won her fourth race from 13 starts this season and her ninth from 22 overall, earning $700,329. She paid $3.50 to win.