Antoaneta gives Allsop first career training victory

Big Lick Farm’s Antoaneta emerged from a stretch duel with Sophia Is an Angel a head in front at the wire in Laurel Park’s ninth race Sunday to give trainer Carl Allsop his first career victory. Antoaneta ($17.20), a chestnut daughter of Skipshot who had been running under trainer and Big Lick Farm owner-operator Reid Nagle in South Florida, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.92 over a firm turf course to improve her record to 3-3-0 from nine starts. Winners Circle Partners XII’s Chief of Staff, a veteran campaigner in the West and Midwest, made his Maryland debut a successful one with a half-length victory in the featured eighth race. Ridden byFeargal Lynch for trainer Hugh McMahon, Chief of Staff ($7.20) ran seven furlongs in 1:22.57 over a fast main track in the $45,000 second-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up. Jonathan Stark’s Maryland homebred Aunt Mitzi lit upthe toteboard with a 2 ¼-length upset at odds of 87-1 in the third race, a maiden claiming event over the Exceller turf course. Ridden by J.D. Acosta, 4-year-old Etched filly Aunt Mitzi returned $176 for her first win from six career starts. Live racing returns to Laurel Park with a 10-race program Friday that includes carryovers in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 ($3,156.72) and $1 Super Hi-5 wagers ($1,426.18). First race post time is 1:10 p.m. WNBA: Brittney Griner scored 24 points, DeWanna Bonner added 23 and the Phoenix Mercury stayed alone into first place with an 84-74 win over the Washington Mystics (10-6) on Saturday night. Yvonne Turner hit a 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock that made it 80-74 for the Mercury (13-5) with 36.6 seconds left and stopped a 10-3 Washington run. Elena Delle Donne had 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Mystics. Washington had a four-game winning streak ended. NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE: The Washington Spirit fell, 2-0, to the host Chicago Stars. Washington dropped to 2-9-4 (10 points) as Chicago improved to 5-3-7 (22 points). —