Award Wanted Outlasts Morning Matcha in Obeah

Award Wanted  showed once again that in horse racing, anything is possible and nothing is certain. An 18-1 longshot, the 6-year-old Maryland-bred upset 1-2 favorite Morning Matcha  in the $160,000 Obeah Stakes May 27 at Delaware Park.

While overlooked on the toteboard, the John Robb-trained Award Wanted’s proved she her legitimacy in taking Saturday’s local prep for the $500,000 Delaware Handicap (G2) July 8. Owned by No Guts No Glory Farm and Erica Upton, the 6-year-old daughter of Macho Uno  has now earned $487,950. She captured the Geisha Stakes at Laurel Park earlier this year, one of her 10 victories from 38 starts.

When the gates opened Saturday, Award Wanted sped to the front. Although engaged by Traverse  for the early advantage, she never backed down, motoring through a quarter-mile in :24.91 and a half-mile in :49.28. Shaking off Traverse around the final turn, jockey Angel Cruz set Award Wanted loose and she responded by opening up daylight between her and the field with a quarter mile to run.

Morning Matcha, third during most of the early running, appeared to be scrambling to make up ground until htting her stride in the final sixteenth.

In a dramatic chase to the wire, Award Wanted ($38) prevailed by a nose. She completed the 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track in 1:49.28.

Hybrid Eclipse  completed the trifecta.