Huge rally gives Cross Traffic filly her first stakes victory

Neecie Marie came from far off the pace to win the $100,000 Mrs. Penny S. over the Parx turf course to give the 4-year-old Cross Traffic filly her first stakes victory.

The bay filly, who was making her stakes debut on Monday, is the sixth stakes winner this year for Cross Traffic, who is also the sire of this year’s Ashland S. (G1) winner Defining Purpose.

Neecie Marie was unhurried from the start of the 1 1/16-mile race and was 10^th of 14 through a half-mile in :48.43. She began to gain ground entering the final turn and came out of the bend full of momentum. Flying down the center of the course, she passed the field with ease to win going away by 2 ¼-lengths.

Neecie Marie now has four wins in six starts and has earned $148,500 for Milam Racing Stables. She was bred by Jon A. Marshall and is out of Lode Lady, who is a half-sister to 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike and Grade 2 winner Llanarmon.