Sicily Grace returned to the winner’s circle Thursday with a hard-earned three-quarter-length victory over Little Town Flirt in the Ashbaugh Beal Purse for fillies and mares Thursday at Emerald Downs.

With hot riding Kevin Krigger aboard, Sicily Grace ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1 minute, 18 2/5seconds on a fast track and paid $9.20, $4.40 and $3.80. Jim Nunnally is the trainer, owner and breeder of the Washington-bred filly.

Little Town Flirt, ridden by Francisco Duran, rallied for second place and paid $6.80 and $4. Prairie Grove, a 17-1 long shot ridden by Jennifer Whitaker, finished third and paid $6.80.

Game Chick, the 2-to-1 betting favorite, finished fourth, followed by Tropic Bunny, Stormy Vow and Jeweled Case.

Krigger, who returned to Emerald Downs last month, rode two winners and already is 11th in the standings with 12 wins.

A daughter of Hampton Bay, Sicily Grace has compiled a 3-3-1 record in 14 starts.

News and Notes

• Jockey Anne Von Rosen recorded her first riding double at Emerald Downs with victories on Spanish Crayon ($2.80) in the second race and Courting Seattle ($5.20) in the fifth.

• Trainer Joe Toye saddled two winners: Courting Seattle and Billy Boy Blue ($14) in the seventh.

• Live racing continues 6 p.m. Friday.