Down Town Allen and Matt McGowan take the Fancy Buckles in June. Photo by Jeff Brammer.
She’s had easier wins, perhaps, and bigger wins. But Down Town Allen’s victory in Saturday’s My Sister Pearl Stakes at Charles Town carried significance of its own.
The victory, her second in the My Sister Pearl, propelled the seven-year-old daughter of Windsor Castle, out of the Roy mare Like Down Town, over $1 million in earnings. Down Town Allen became the first West Virginia-bred filly or mare to surpass $1 million in career earnings.
Sent off at 3-5, Down Town Allen stalked the early lick of Autumn Affair before disposing of that one and taking command after a half-mile in 49 2/5 seconds. Second-choice Red Hot Diva confronted Down Town Allen shortly thereafter, but Down Town Allen repulsed that bid and held her rivals safe in the lane to win by almost two lengths in 1:53 3/5 for 1 1/8 miles.
The million-dollar mark is an honor she’s earned the old-fashioned way; she’s earned it.
Down Town Allen has won 26 of 41 career starts, toiling almost exclusively at her home track of Charles Town. She has made 37 starts on her home grounds and won 25 of them.
Running for breeder/owner/trainer John A. Casey, Down Town Allen owns a spotless 2014 record, with six wins from six starts, and has won eight straight overall. She has won her last 14 starts at Charles Town. The picture of consistency, she has been out of the money just once in her last 17 starts.
Also, she likes donuts. A lot.
