By Ron Mitchell
The storybook career of Page McKenney became even richer Feb. 15 when the 6-year-old gelded son of Eavesdropper wore down favored Majestic Affair for a head victory in the General George Stakes (gr. III) at Laurel Park. Trained by Mary Eppler, Page McKenney settled in fourth as Green Gratto and Majestic Hussar set the pace. Leaving the turn, Majestic Affair took over under strong urging as Page McKenney ranged up on the outside and gradually wore down the 3-2 favorite. Page McKenney, off at 2-1 under Horacio Karamanos, stopped the timer in 1:24.61 for seven furlongs on a sub-freezing day. The victory was Page McKenney’s first in graded company; he previously placed in three graded races. “I have ridden a lot of nice horses, but this horse is all heart,” Karamanos said. With his 16th win (including nine stakes) to accompany 16 placings in 43 starts, Page McKenney has now earned $1,171,978. He races for Adam Staple along with Dr. James Bryant and Linda P. Davis, who bred him in Pennsylvania and lost him in the claiming ranks before re-purchasing a minor interest. BH