After a series of near misses, Candied made it back to the winner's circle May 16, winning the $125,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
It was the millionaire's first win since her last nongraded run, the 2024 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Between then and Friday, the daughter of Candy Ride finished second in two grade 1s—losing the first to reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna and the second by a head—then third in two grade 1s, including the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) behind Thorpedo Anna and this year's La Troienne Stakes (G1) winner Raging Sea. She then showed in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) in her only action of 2025 prior to Friday.
"It was nice to see her back in the winner's circle," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "We had a beautiful trip, saved ground around the first turn and (jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.) bided his time around the second turn and it looked like when he got her in the clear, she finished well."
Making just her third career start outside of graded company, Candied lived up to her class with a midstretch move to overcome Dazzling Move in 1:50.47.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bobby Flay, the filly was bred by Buck Pond Farm. Her record improves to 4-2-4 from 11 starts with $1,253,488 in earnings.
Video: Allaire DuPont Distaff S. (BT)
Play With Fire Climbs The Hilltop
Trainer Brendan Walsh had been considering sending 3-year-old Play With Fire for a race at Horseshoe Indianapolis. But once that race came off the turf, the decision had been made between he and owner Fergus Galvin. The Minnesota-bred Oscar Performance filly was going to Pimlico for the $125,000 Hilltop Stakes.
Play With Fire swung out six wide entering the stretch and held off a late challenge from Pretty Lavish for a one-length win in the mile turf contest for 3-year-old fillies. The final time was 1:39.11.
"I was saying to Fergus, glad now we did because we were on the phone all day every day the last few days trying to decide what we were going to do. But they helped us at Indiana when they took it off the grass," Walsh said.
Walsh said the race was the culmination of hard work put in by the filly, who hadn't won since her debut maiden victory—a span of four races.
"She ran very well," Walsh said. "A really nice run. She's progressed a lot and ran a nice race."
Video: Hilltop S. (BT)
Bosseratti is Boss In The Very One
Maryland-bred Bosserati, making her first start since finishing ninth in the Nov. 30 Pan Zareta Stakes, withstood a challenge from Accomplished Girl and proved best by a head in the $100,000 The Very One Stakes.
"Just saved my whole week," trainer Brittany Russell said. "Tough game. We had a couple of bad ones in a row here and I'm just happy that she ran good. She showed up. We've had a long day."
Jumping out to the front out of the gate, the Holy Boss mare ran along the rail while Accomplished One pulled alongside her. Bosserati grew her lead to a half-length at the top of the stretch, and slid into the three path.
Accomplished One forced the issue, daring Bosserati to best her. But Bosserati, who was ninth in this race last year, responded with a victorious final push in a time of :59.44 for the five furlongs on good turf.
Irad Ortiz Jr., who took over jockey duties for Sheldon Russell, who was off the rest of his rides after a gate incident in the Hilltop, said the race developed just how the filly likes it.
"I just let her be her," he said. "She likes to be on the lead setting the pace. We broke good and she rolled. Turning for home and in the stretch, she doesn't want to give up the lead. I wasn't even using her. She was just nice and relaxed and full of run."
Bosserati earned her sixth win in 19 starts with earnings of $331,260 for owner/breeder Joel Politi.
