by Kyle Fitzgerald for Colonial Downs

Penn Tag continued her dominance of the Todd Parker Memorial late closing series with a 7-3/4 length tour de force in the third leg Sunday afternoon at Colonial Downs.

Penn Tag won her divisions of the first two legs of the Parker Memorial by a combined 12-3/4 lengths and was sent off at 2-5 as part of a three-horse entry from the Manley Brown, Jr. barn.

Sunday’s race unfolded much like the first two legs, with John Wagner letting Penn Tag settle into stride through the first quarter before sweeping to the lead toward the end of the backstretch.

Dusty Winner was quickest off the gate from the far outside to take the early lead and cut an opening quarter in 27.3. Brenner trotted in second early as Penn Tag tracked in third.

Wagner sent Penn Tag to the lead after the quarter, consigning Dusty Winner to second as they hit the turn. Penn Tag got to the opening half in 57.1 and cruised around the turn with an easy 1-1/4 length lead over Dusty Winner.

Penn Tag turned for home with a relatively modest 1-1/2 length lead as Dusty Winner tipped to the outside to launch his rally. Dusty Winner matched strides with Penn Tag into deep stretch but went on a break inside the eighth pole to leave Penn Tag all alone in a procession to the wire in 1:55.1.

Speed Talker was second, 1-1/2 lengths clear of a late closing Summertide.

Sunday’s win was Penn Tag’s twelfth from 28 lifetime starts. Scott Woogen and Michael Ternisky co-own the 3-year-old Tagliabue filly.

The Todd Parker Memorial Final is Sunday October 7.