Missile Bay cruises to stakes win at Pimlico

Horse Racing

Missile Bay rocketed from the gate, opened a comfortable lead and coasted to victory in the first running of the $50,000 Xtra Heat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, contested over the sloppy going yesterday at Pimlico Race Course.

Missile Bay, a daughter of Yes It's True ridden for the first time by jockey Jose Flores, relished the off track while posting a 2 3/4 -length win over Coastal Strike. Partners Due finished third. The winner, trained by Scott Lake, was timed in 58.58 seconds for the five furlongs and paid $10.40.

"She has a lot of speed," Flores said. "Scott told me to send her. She broke well and I sent her. She loves the mud. She grabs hold of it like it's turf."

As for picking up this assignment, the Philadelphia Park-based rider added, "I'm good from the gate. You've got to be ready. You have to get busy when the doors open. I've been riding for Scott for 13 years. He told he this horse was very sharp for this race."

Missile Bay has finished in the money 10 straight times with three victories.