Trace of Grace leads a Plum Pretty 1-2 for Houghton at Parx

WMT Stable’s Trace of Grace held off a late inside run from stablemate Trolley Ride to win the $100,000 Plum Pretty Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred fillies and mares Saturday at Parx Racing.

The 6-year-old Petionville mare, the longer-priced of two runners sent out in the 1 1/16-mile stakes by trainer Bernie Houghton at 7-2, won by a half-length for her eighth victory in 35 career starts. Mill and Gloria finished 1 3/4 lengths back in third.

Ridden by Inoel Beato, Trace of Grace came in off a fourth in a Laurel Park allowance and a third in the Dr. Teresa Garafalo Memorial Stakes against state-breds at Parx. She improved to 5-for-16 at Parx.

“I thought all three fillies had a shot," Houghton said. "I was a little disappointed at Imply, with a horse like that on the grass, we thought maybe she doesn’t like the dirt anymore, but all three came in good to the race

“One thing about Trace of Grace, she loves this racetrack. She does her best right here at her Philadelphia Park. I was a little worried about my other horse, which was good. She was coming on too, but this one is a little more special. I own this horse, and it’s named after my son, so it’s special."