Big Brownie wins the Big A's Holly Springs Stakes

NEW YORK (AP) - Big Brownie returned from a nine-month layoff Friday to win the $73,500 Holly Springs Stakes at Aqueduct, beating Lady Gracenote by 11/4 lengths.

Big Brownie went off as the 8-5 favorite in the race for New York bred fillies and mares despite her time away because of respiratory bleeding problems.

The 6-year-old won for fifth time in 19 starts. Trained by Leah Gyarmati and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Big Brownie ran the six furlongs in 1:11.70 on a fast track.

Big Brownie paid $5.30, $3.50 and $2.40. Lady Gracenote returned $4.70 and $2.80 while Saltamontes paid $2.40 to show.