HOT SPRINGS, AR – Corningstone became the second two-time stakes winner of the 2024-2025 Oaklawn meeting in Sunday afternoon’s $150,000 Pippin for older fillies and mares.

The 1 1/16-mile Pippin was originally scheduled to be run Jan. 11, but racing was canceled last weekend because of a winter storm that dumped almost a foot of snow in Hot Springs.

The redrawn Pippin was again headlined by Indiana-bred star Corningstone, who justified her 7-5 favoritism with a front-running one-length score under Julien Leparoux. They also teamed to win the one-mile $150,000 Mistletoe Stakes Dec. 14.

Breaking from the rail Sunday, Leparoux sent Corningstone to the lead and she controlled the race through modest fractions of :24.24, :48.39 and 1:13.51 for six furlongs. Corningstone ($4.80) repelled a challenge by Taxed on the outside in the upper stretch and held off a fast-closing Indy Label in the final yards.

Corningstone, carrying equal top weight of 122 pounds, ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:45.44. Because of freezing temperatures, the Pippin field went straight from the paddock to the starting gate.

Taxed, who finished third, was followed, in order, by Bow Draw, Tapit Jenallie, Neom Beach and Let’s Duet. Pharoah’s Heart and Tripolina were late scratches.

Corningstone races for 2024-2025 Oaklawn leading trainer Kenny McPeek and co-owners Payson Stud (Christian Erickson) & RTA Family Trust (Royce Pulliam).

The Pippin was her fifth career stakes victory and second in open company. Corningstone’s other three stakes victories have come against Indiana-breds at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Overall, Corningstone has an 8-6-4 record from 23 starts and earnings of $756,318. She is a 5-year-old daughter of Kantharos.

Kale’s Angel became the meet’s first two-time stakes winner with a victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Renaissance for 3-year-old sprinters.

Racing resumes Thursday at Oaklawn. First race post time is 12:30 p.m. (Central).

PIPPIN QUOTES

Winning jockey Julien Leparoux (Corningstone): “I wanted to break good and put her in the race. If they gave me the lead, I was going to be on the lead. If not, I would have been happy to sit behind. She took me there very nicely, very easy. We still had some left at the end. I had to ask her (late), but she tries hard. We got it done today.”