Mrs. Bertram Firestone's Caramel Custard went right to the front and stayed there in winning the $50,000 Marlboro Stakes for fillies and mares at Laurel Park yesterday.
Jockey Travis Dunkelberger sent the 5-year-old daughter of Chief Honcho on a rail-skimming trip around the fast main track oval. The pair completed the nine furlongs in 1:49 3/5, which was 2 1/2 lengths ahead of runner-up Broomesse. Late-closing April In Calgary finished third.
The winner paid $23.60 and was the top part of a $57.20, 2-6 exacta and a $436.80, 2-6-8 trifecta.
Jockey Dunkelberger, who rode the winner for trainer Jimmy Murphy, said, "I got her to settle, made sure she was comfortable and she kicked on down the lane. I had a lot of horse. She ran on as soon as I asked her."
Said Murphy: "She's been running against good company. She was good today and I hope she keeps going up."
Caramel Custard has four wins and four seconds in 12 starts.
