Tradition continues: Carrumba wins Big A's Top Flight

NEW YORK (AP) Carrumba carried on the Phipps family tradition Sunday by winning the $190,000 Top Flight Invitational Handicap for fillies and mares at Aqueduct.

She was the first runner for the Phipps Stable since the death of Ogden Mills ''Dinny'' Phipps on Wednesday. Phipps, a longtime chairman of the New York Racing Association and the Jockey Club, oversaw a powerful breeding and racing operation.

''Absolutely, this win was emotional,'' said Ogden Phipps II, Dinny's son. ''Our first time back at the races, and it's obviously a big part of how we grew up with my dad.''

Carrumba, the 3-5 favorite, earned her first stakes victory in her season debut. The gray 4-year-old beat the pacesetting Mei Ling by a half length in her season debut.

Jose Ortiz rode for trainer Shug McGaughey as Carrumba covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.26 for her fourth win in seven starts.

Carrumba paid $3.30 and $2.20. Mei Ling returned $2.50.

America was third followed by Noble and a Beauty.

There was no show wagering on the four-horse field.