Rydilluc captures inaugural Penn Mile

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Grantville, PA (Sports Network) - Post-time favorite Rydilluc pressed the pace and took control down the stretch to win Saturday's inaugural running of the $500,000 Penn Mile Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Trained by Gary Contessa and ridden by Edgar Prado, Rydilluc was sitting second behind pacesetter Yougotthatgoinforu throughout most of the mile turf event. The 8-5 favorite in the field of eight 3-year-olds then easily went to the lead at the top of the stretch and went on to post a three-quarters length victory.

Charming Kitten edged out stablemate Jack Milton for second with Pitch N Roll finishing fourth. Completing the order of finish were 2-1 second pick Noble Tune, Are You Kidding Me, Triple Cross and Yougotthatgoinforu.

Rydilluc completed the mile in 1:33.99 on a firm turf course.

"He certainly is right up there with the best horses that I have ever had," Contessa said earlier. "He is the best moving horse that I have ever trained and he takes your breath away when he goes past you."

Rydilluc earned $276,000 with the win and recorded his second stakes victory. The colt has banked $491,990 with four wins in six lifetime starts.

Owned by a consortium of people, Rydilluc won the Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 3 and followed with a fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 13.

Rydilluc returned $5.20, $3.80 and $2.60. Charming Kitten paid $5.40 and $3.40, Jack Milton paid $3.40 to show.