Proctor's Pucker Up Duo Point to Fall Stakes

A salty renewal of the Grade III $150,000 Pucker Up on Saturday afternoon produced some outstanding performances and confusing efforts on a rain-soaked and soft turf course. Two fillies who relished the wet going were from the barn of veteran trainer Tom Proctor - Sistas Stroll and V V Goodnight, who swept the exacta in impressive fashion.

 

Five Fillies Stable’s Sistas Stroll, who was making her fourth career start, more than made up for her lack of seasoning with a 1½-length margin of victory over her much more seasoned stablemate. Shipping in from Proctor’s California-based string, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Stroll also came with regular jockey Drayden Van Dyke.

 

V V Goodnight, who ran a very good race to place second under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, was exiting a good effort in the Hatoof Stakes on the Arlington Million Day undercard in which she arguably ran the best race of the quartet of fillies who hit the wire together that day.  Back on her best form, she displayed an excellent turn-of-foot - despite the off-going - to close from eighth.

 

Both Sistas Stroll and V V Goodnight will aim toward stakes races this fall.  Sistas Stroll’s performance in the Pucker Up - a traditionally solid prep for the Grade I Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Keeneland - may wind up garnering her an invitation to the fall centerpiece for sophomore turf fillies.

 

Source: Arlington Park Communications