ERIE, Pa.--Mark Casse, fresh of training War of Will to win the G1 Preakness, saddled Explorationist, owned by John C. Oxley and Gainesway Stable and ridden by Jerome Lermyle, to win the $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes at Presque Isle on May 20.
Explorationist (Photo by Coady Photography)Explorationist sprinted to a clear lead soon after the start of the field of 10 in the 6 furlong race for 3 year olds on the all weather track, increased his lead while never being challenged and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Crosstown Shootout and Powell.
Explorationist, by Pioneerof the Nile out of Assateaque, by Stormy Atlantic, was bred by Alexander - Groves - Matz LLC.
This was his secon win in six races after having won a maiden race at Woodbine on April 28.
Graham Motion, who trains at Fair Hill, saddled Calumet Farm's homebred English Bee to win the$100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes for 3 year olds at Pimlico on May 18.
English Bee won the 1 mile turf race by 1/2 length over Real News, and Motion also saddled Shootin the Breeze to finish third.
English Bee, by English Channel out of Evil Kitten, by Kitten's Joy, hugged the rail while stalking the pace down the backstretch, eased out three wide leaving the far turn and took the lead near the eighth pole.
THIS WAS his third win in six starts, having won a maiden race in his first start at Presque Isle last September and then an allowance race at Gulfstream in January.
Motion also saddled two allowance winners recently, Hillwood Stable LLC and Richard Golden's Maryland-bred Majestic Reason in a $52,000 six furlong allowance at Pimlico on May 17 and Sam-Son Farm's Say the Word in an $85,000 1 mile turf allowance at Belmont on May 18.
Bernie Houghton saddled Barlar LLC's Pa-bred Imply to win a $42,480 Allowance race for fillies and mares 3 years old and up at Presque Isle at 1 mile 70 yards on May 21.
Imply, by E Dubai out of Allude, by Orientate, was foaled at Houghton's mother Betsy's Sylmar Farm in Christiana.
Running a close third down the backstretch, Imply went three wide on the far turn, made a steady gain and drew off late to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
