The Elkstone Group’s Edge of Reality rallied from mid-pack, surged past the leaders at the top of the stretch and then drew away late for a convincing three and three-quarter length win in the $75,000 Turning for Home Stakes Saturday afternoon at Parx. It was the first win of the year for the 5 year-old son of Lawyer Ron who had been racing in graded stakes out west this winter and spring for trainer Graham Motion.
Never expected to be a pace factor, Edge of Reality came out comfortably, was unhurried in the early going and landed sixth in the eight horse field as they rounded the first turn. He found himself about five lengths back moving to the backstretch after an opening quarter by pace setter Adirondack King of 24.38. As Adirondack King and Grasshoppin vied for the lead down the backstretch run, winning jockey Frankie Pennington guided Edge of Reality into a contending position, gaining steadily to be within three lengths with a half mile to run. After a half in 48.94, Grasshoppin got the first crack at Adirondack King heading to the far turn and got the lead with three-eighths to go. With traffic inside, Pennington was forced four wide around the far turn, but that clearly didn’t matter. When asked to move, Edge of Reality kicked in with authority.
Sweeping past horses on the final turn, Edge of Reality finally reached the embattled leaders Grasshoppin and Adirondack King as they came to the head of the stretch. He would sustain his big run and roared into command just outside the eighth pole and then quickly began to pull away. He came to the finish leaving no doubt who was best today, winning by a clear cut three and three-quarter lengths.
With the lack of a solid favorite and a value laden tote board, Edge of Reality was sent off as no better than fourth choice at 9-2 and paid $11.00, 5.80 and 4.20. Adirondack King, the 7-2 favorite, set a contested pace, gave up second on the far turn, but battled back valiantly to get the place money by a head over Grasshoppin and paid 4.60 and 3.60. Grasshoppin (9-1) sat the stalking trip outside Adirondack King, had the lead briefly before Edge of Reality came charging, and then fought to the end to finish third and pay 5.40 to show. The final time over a track sealed but labeled good was 1:43.58.