Mink’s Palace flew past longtime leader Ms. Tart in deep stretch on her way to posting a two-and-a-quarter length victory in the $250,000 Holiday Inaugural Stakes at Turfway Park on Sunday, 21 Dec.
The victory marked the second Stakes win for the daughter of Palace Malice, joining her win in the Roxelana Stakes at Churchill Downs earlier this year.
Mink’s Palace broke well and was settled at the rear of the eight-runner field as outsider Ms. Tart led the way through the opening half-mile. Ms. Tart continued to hold the lead heading into the stretch, but several rivals were emerging from the pack to challenge, including the favorite, Pondering (Hard Spun) and Ellen Jay.
Mink’s Palace, racing six or seven-wide, came with a furious rally in the final eighth of a mile to sweep past Ms. Tart to get the victory. Pondering put in a determined effort to take second, with Ms. Tart holding for third.
Mink’s Palace was bred in Kentucky by her owner, Summerhill Farm, and is out of the Scat Daddy mare, Scattering Mink. She hails from the immediate family of Graded Stakes winners Dynaslew (G2 Ballston Spa Stakes) and Palmeiro (G3 All American Handicap).
Palace Malice won the G1 Belmont Stakes by over three lengths and the G1 Metropolitan Handicap at four. He is the sire of 16 Stakes winners to date, including Palacein and the four-time G1-winner, Jantar Mantar, in 2025.
