Racing! City of Light wins Pegasus World Cup

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we say goodbye to the racing careers of City of Light and Accelerate.

It was another display of the power of Southern California racing as City of Light and Accelerate moved to the front on far turn of the $9 million Pegasus World Cup. But, on this day, City of Light was much the best, winning by 5 ¾ lengths.

If you want to read more about the race and the thoughts of the winners and losers, just click here.

“Winning a Breeders’ Cup [Dirt Mile] was incredibly special,” winning trainer Michael McCarthy said. “To be able to follow it up with something like this, don’t know if it will ever happen again. If it doesn’t, I’m probably OK with it.

“I like that Vin Scully line, ‘Don’t be sad it’s over. Be glad it happened.’”

City of Light paid $5.80, $4.20 and $3.00. Seeking the Soul was second, Accelerate was third followed by Bravazo, Audible, Gunnevera, True Timber, Imperative, Tom’s d’Etat, Something Awesome, Kukulkan and Patternrecognition.

“[City of Light] was outside of a horse who couldn’t get the distance,” John Sadler, Accelerate’s trainer, said. “That other speed horse [Patternrecognition] couldn’t go that far so he was able to kind of cruise out there. We were kind of down in between some mud and dirt. I think he put in a good effort.”

Both City of Light and Accelerate will be picked up by the same horse trailer in the morning then fly to Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky. to begin careers as stallions. Accelerate is already booked with 140 mares for a $20,000 stud fee.

In the other Grade 1 race, Bricks and Mortar won the $6 million Pegasus World Cup Turf.

How to improve the Pegasus

The wet, dreary weather certainly was not ideal for Gulfstream on Saturday. Weather can happen anywhere. All of which brings me to an idea that will make the Pegasus day better.

I think it’s pretty clear that the addition of the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf is not going to make a difference in the on-track attendance. The place is packed, the fans are happy, and, while I didn’t ask anyone, I’d be hard pressed to find someone say, “I wasn’t going to come out until they added the turf race.”

The Pegasus didn’t need fixing by adding another big race and the place is so small it’s not like you can add a big number to on-track attendance. But, maybe some others could benefit.

So, how about splitting the races and put the turf either at Santa Anita or Laurel on the same day. The advantage to taking it to Santa Anita is the track knows how to put on a big event and, well, it’s Santa Anita. The down side is it’s a ship for several of the horses. In Saturday’s race, three of the 10 horses were Santa Anita based, but only four were stabled in South Florida. So, that’s pretty much a wash.

If you hold it at Laurel, the track gets to practice a big event in advance of it one day hosting a Breeders’ Cup or becoming the permanent home of the Preakness. The downside is it’s Maryland in January.

On Saturday, the high in Hallandale Beach was 64, in Laurel it was 37 (it would be 48 on Sunday) and in Arcadia it was 78. People in Maryland are a hardy bunch, for sure.

The point is that The Stronach Group has the opportunity to make a big event at another of its tracks without seriously impacting anything at Gulfstream. Win-win.

Stronach family update

The bitter legal fight between founder Frank Stronach and his daughter Belinda Stronach was in evidence at Gulfstream on Saturday. Last year, they both appeared on the dais at the post-race media conference. Both had prominence in the track program.

But since then, Frank sued Belinda for essentially mismanaging and defrauding the company, wanted her ouster. Belinda has denied it and seems to have a stranglehold on the company. On Thursday, they sat at separate tables at the Eclipse Awards. In this year’s program, there is a front-of-the-book greeting from Belinda and nothing from or about Frank. Both skipped the post-race media conference. It’s pretty clear who’s winning this war.

In case you wondered

I tried going to the ADWs run by TVG, Twinspires (Churchill Downs) and NYRA (New York) using the wireless provided by Gulfstream. Guess what? All were blocked. But you knew that.

Weekly handicapping lesson

Here’s our weekly contribution from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). The thinking is if you can know and understand the strategies, it will make you a better handicapper.

Today’s lesson is from the 10^th race at Santa Anta. What say you, Rob.

“An allowance race at 6 ½ furlongs on the turf. These downhill turf races can produce some crazy front end wins, after all, it is, downhill, for much of the first part of the race, basically entering the top of the lane (following a brief main track crossing), with a head of steam down the lane. So, I always start up front, with a methodical process in place, asking myself, is there a front runner viable with a possible gate-to-wire effort? Are there multiple front runners, and if so, have one or the other proven the ability to rate off the speed if needed? If so, that’s always preferred, and here’s another issue to consider, if there are multiple front runners, is there one who’s fastest, forcing the other speedsters into the role of being ‘chasers,’ which often leads to a wire-to-wire effort when those doing the chasing simply spit the bit, not accustomed to the role of racing behind others. In this particular heat, #1 WHATSONTHEAGENDA is super fast, and is gonna have to use energy today from this rail slot. # MONTMARTRE showed :21.2 speed on the main track at Los Al, which translates on the turf to roughly a :20.3 turf opening split. #6 PADDOCK PICK is also quick, but none of these appear to be a clear-cut leader on the backside, nor have any shown the ability to rate before finishing, which leaves us with a strong inclination to look from a bit further back for the winner. With that in mind, top selection is EROTIC (#7) He won over this course three back over this shorter distance, and though showing little going long, we can establish she’s healthy, stringing four races together off the 10-month layoff, will be fit exiting those routes, and we love the work pattern, displaying quick works followed by the most recent very slow ⅜, telling us Richard Mandella needed nothing more from him while awaiting this next start. SHADOW SPHINX (#9) is similar, in that he had a few dull route tries, followed by a win over this downhill course last time out, galloping out well, back right on schedule with a pair of works, all the while retaining the services of Flavien Prat. Very easy to find right back, with the door wide open we believe for both of these finish well enough to get to the wire first.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 7-9-5

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): none

“Positive Notes:

“5 Jungle Warfare - Was finishing fact last time out (behind our top pick 5-1 winner), and this course is just a good one for him despite the 0 for 5 record, as he tries hard and usually comes running, while Desormeaux is back, a good fit for sure.

“Negative Notes:

“6 Paddock Pick - Would actually like to see this one going two turns on the turf.

“TOP PICK: EROTIC (#7 6-1 Talamo)

“SECOND CHOICE: SHADOW SPHINX (#9 4-1 Prat)”

^{The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at https://www.westcoasthorseracing.com It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.}

Santa Anita review

Santa Anita had four Cal-bred stakes races, so let’s go through them.

California Cup Turf Sprint: Listing came four wide into the stretch and got up by half-a-length to win the $100,000 race down the 6 ½-furlong downhill turf course. Listing is a homebred for owner Paul Reddam, who has this horse with trainer Ben Cecil instead of his main trainer Doug O’Neill.

Listing, ridden by Mario Guiterrez, paid $7.00, $4.00 and $3.20. Takeo Square was second and Tivan finished third.

“It was a bit closer than I’d hoped, but he may have gotten a little tired” Cecil said. “I didn’t give Mario any instructions. He knows the horse. He had a good effort last time down the hill and we had to give him a little break prior to that, which he probably needed.”

California Cup Sprint: Touching Rainbows was patient watching Richard’s Boy go to a nice lead but in the end took advantage of the leader’s shortening stride to win the $150,000 six-furlong race by 1 ¼ lengths.

The 6-year-old gelding paid $8.00, $3.80 and $2.60. Richard’s Boy finished second and favorite Edwards Going Left was third.

“The race set up pretty well,” winning trainer Phil D’Amato said. “[Jockey] Tiago [Pereira] had him in the right spot and I liked that he pressed the button at the right time. He got him close enough to the other horse to engage him and wear him down. Hat’s off to Tiago. He’s not the easiest horse to ride. You have to press the button at the right time and Tiago did just that.”

Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint: S Y Sky went wire to wire to win the $150,000 race for fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside course. The winning margin was half-a-length for the D’Amato trained mare.

S Y Sky paid $6.00, $3.80 and $2.80. Queen Be to You was second and Fiery Lady was third.

“It's good to get her back in the winner's circle,” said winning jockey Joe Talamo. “She shows up every time. As you can see, she's never missed a check, you see that in the form. She just skips over the grass.”

Unusual Heat Turf Classic: Rye may have won the $200,000 race for older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the turf, but the headline was jockey Kent Desormeaux getting his 5,999^th win. Desormeaux made a tactical move to get Rye to the rail and it proved to be the smart move, winning by 2 ¼ lengths.

“Thinking about it tremendously and I’ll have more to say then,” Desormeaux said about his impending milestone victory.

Rye paid $13.40, $6.40 and $5.00 for trainer William Morey. Ashleyluvssugar was second and Accountability was third.

“We turned him out and gave him some time [off] up north,” said Morey, who also owns the horse. “We did that last year too with him, and this year we were only able to get one prep race in him but I like the idea of getting the prep race up there on the synthetic and just keeping him happy and fresh for this race and there are a lot of horses in here that maybe weren’t quite as fresh as we were and it worked.”

Santa Anita preview

Half of Sunday’s 10-race card, which begins at noon, are turf races. Three are down the hill an the other two are a mile. There are four allowance or allowance/optional claimers and five claiming races. The average field size, despite having four straight races with a field of six, is 8.2.

The feature is the $70,000 Clocker Corner Stakes, a 6 ½ furlong turf race down the hill for older horses. Conquest Tsunami is the 5-2 favorite for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Drayden Van Dyke. He is eight-for-28 lifetime and two-for-four at Santa Anita. Two back he was 11^th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The second favorite is Hunt, at 3-1, who has been off since Aug. 19 when he was sixth in the Del Mar Mile Handicap. He is nine-for-29 lifetime and five-for-12 at Santa Anita. He is trained by D’Amato and ridden by Prat.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 10, 6, 6, 6, 6, 11 (3 also eligible), 7, 9, 10, 11 (1 ae).

Big day at Sam Houston

I know we are supposed to concentrate on Southern California racing but every once in a while we like to see what’s going on at one of the smaller tracks. So, how about Sunday’s card at Sam Houston? It’s pretty good.

The highlight is Mike Smith going in to ride Midnight Bisou. It’s Mike’s first trip to Sam Houston and, well, Bisou is a horse that’s worth making the trip. Of course, it wouldn’t be Mike if he didn’t do an autograph session from noon to 1 p.m. That’s just who he is.

Midnight Bisou is the 3-5 favorite in the Grade 3 $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes. It’s one of two graded stakes, the other being the Grade 3 $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes. There are four other stakes races on the card. Sometimes it’s fun to watch when the smaller tracks pull off a big day.

Big Races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Saturday.

Gulfstream (3): $150,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, 4 and up, 5 furlongs off turf. Winner: World of Trouble ($2.40)

Gulfstream (5): $150,000 Ladies’ Turf Sprint Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 5 furlongs off turf. Winner: Cherry Lodge ($5.60)

Gulfstream (6): $125,000 South Beach Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 7 ½ furlongs on turf. Winner: Dolce Lili ($8.60)

Gulfstream (7): Grade 3 $150,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 7 furlongs. Winner: Dream Pauline ($7.80)

Gulfstream (8): Grade 3 $200,000 La Prevoyante Handicap, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Si Que Es Buena ($17.00)

Santa Anita (3): $100,000 Cal Cup Turf Sprint Stakes, Cal-bred 3-year-olds, 6 ½ furlongs on turf. Winner: Listing ($7.00)

Gulfstream (9): Grade 3 $150,000 Fred W. Hooper, 4 and up, 1 mile. Winner: Aztec Sense ($7.00)

Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Jazil Stakes, 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: Mr Buff ($9.90)

Santa Anita (4): $150,000 California Cup Sprint, Cal-bred 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Touching Rainbow ($8.00)

Gulfstream (10): Grade 3 $200,000 W.L. McKnight Handicap, 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Zulu Alpha ($6.60)

Gulfstream (11): Grade 1 $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, 4 and up, 1 3/16 miles on turf. Winner: Bricks and Mortar ($7.60)

Gulfstream (12): Grade 1 $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles. Winner: City of Light ($5.80)

Oaklawn (8): $100,000 American Beauty Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Amy’s Challenge ($9.00)

Santa Anita (9): $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly/Mare Turf Sprint, Cal-bred fillies and mares 4 and up, 6 ½ furlongs on turf. Winner: S Y Sky ($6.00)

Santa Anita (11): $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, Cal-breds 4 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Winner: Rye ($13.40)

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday. All times PDT:

12:58 Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Ruthless Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Enliven (8-5)

3:10 Sunland Park (9): $100,000 Riley Allison Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 mile. Favorite: Nitrous (8-5)

3:15 Sam Houston (8): Grade 3 $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes, 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Favorite: Bigger Picture (4-5)

3:58 Sam Houston (9): Grade 3 $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Midnight Bisou (3-5)

Bob Ike’s SA pick of the day

FIRST RACE: No. 5 Mongolian Window (4-1)

Peter Miller-trained filly comes off a solid try going nine furlongs and should appreciate the cut back to one mile here. She stumbled at the start but still got to the front before tiring to third through the final 100 yards in a race that was probably too far for her. This distance seems ideal.

Saturday’s result: Marckie's Water was within range on the far turn but offered no rally through the stretch in a disappointer.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here's a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Ed Burgart LA play of the day

FOURTH RACE: No. 4 Blaze Thru Fire (5-2)

This gelding looked much improved in a 12.3 gate drill late last month while preparing for his first start since a fifth-place debut last July. In his 12.3 work, he broke sharp and reached out nicely midway under a hand ride to outwork his company by two lengths. Trainer Pat Visscher must have been impressed since she brings him back in a straight maiden race while getting the services of leading jockey Jesus Ayala. He also catches soft field for the level.

Final thoughts

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And now the stars of the show, Saturday’s results and Sunday’s entries.

MO BOB (IRE) three deep into the first turn, angled in and settled a bit off the rail then inside, came between foes into the stretch, moved up inside then came out and took the lead outside the pacesetter under urging a sixteenth out, inched away and held. COMBAT ZONE stumbled at the start, angled in and pulled inside and was in tight on the first turn, saved ground, went between foes on the second turn and was in tight a quarter mile out, came out three deep into the stretch and finished well. HONOR GUARD stalked a bit off the rail then between horses, split rivals in deep stretch and got up for the show. OUTLAW took the early lead and angled in, set a pressured pace inside, inched clear on the second turn and into the stretch, came a bit off the rail in the drive and lost third late. ARCH ANTHEM chased three deep, came out six wide into the stretch and had a mild late bid. AUSSIE FOX off a bit slowly, pulled and angled in to chase between horses, steadied in traffic leaving the second turn, came five wide into the stretch, angled in and could not quite summon the needed late kick. READY SAY GO broke a bit slowly, stalked three deep, came out five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. ARMED WALL angled in and pulled early, pressed the pace between foes, fell back some on the second turn, drifted four wide into the stretch, steadied in midstretch and weakened. CAUSEIDIDITMYWAY tugged his way along and chased three deep, steadied four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. NORMANDY BEACH also tugged along the inside early, saved ground chasing the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and did not rally.

OWNING stalked between horses then outside, continued off the rail on the turn, bid three wide into and through the stretch, gained the lead late under left handed urging and gamely prevailed. RUNNINGWSCISSORS pressed the pace outside a rival then between foes, battled outside a foe on the turn, took a short lead between horses in the stretch, fought back off the rail in deep stretch and continued willingly. TWO FIFTY COUP had good early speed a bit off the rail, dueled just off the fence then inside, fought back in the drive and weakened late. GLEYBER stalked between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch and on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. JUST HIT PLAY five wide early, chased outside then off the rail on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and lacked a further response. MAD MIKE saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the turn and in the stretch and had little left for the drive.

LISTING had speed five wide then stalked off the rail, bid four wide into the stretch, took a short lead under left handed urging nearing midstretch, drifted in and gamely prevailed. TAKEO SQUARED dueled between horses then three deep on the hill and into the stretch, fought back off the rail in the final furlong and went gamely to the end, then did not return to be unsaddled and was vanned off. TIVAN stalked off the rail, angled in on the hill, came out into the stretch, split rivals in deep stretch and edged a foe for the show. IRISH HEATWAVE had speed between foes then steadied at the right hand curve, stalked off the rail, came four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. OUR SILVER OAK stalked then went up inside to duel for the lead, battled along the rail leaving the hill and into the stretch, steadied in a bit tight in midstretch and weakened. TEACHER'S TREASURE had good early speed and dueled between horses, drifted in a bit in midstretch and also weakened. Rail on hill at zero.

TOUCHING RAINBOWS stalked outside a rival on the backstretch and turn, went after the runner-up under left handed urging in the stretch, gained the advantage in deep stretch and inched away late. RICHARD'S BOY sped to a clear early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and in the stretch, fought back in deep stretch, could not match the winner late but was clearly second best. EDWARDS GOING LEFT bobbled slightly and was a half step slow into stride, chased inside, split horses into the turn, went outside a rival leaving the turn, came out into the stretch and held third. MINOSO stalked outside a rival then three deep into the turn, fell back some off the rail, came out into the stretch and was edged for the show. SHADES OF VICTORY saved ground chasing the pace, came out in upper stretch, split horses a sixteenth out and lacked the needed rally. HECK YEAH close up stalking the pace off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and weakened in the stretch.

SPEND SPEND SPEND stalked outside then four wide into the turn, bid three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch, gained the advantage nearing midstretch under left handed urging and inched clear late under a hold nearing the wire. UPPERCUT pressed the pace between horses then outside a rival early on the turn, dueled between foes leaving the turn, put a head in front into the stretch, fought back inside the winner in the drive, could not match that one late but was clearly second best. LADY NINJA saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and picked up the show. OOZLE a bit slow to begin, had speed between horses then set a pressured pace inside, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch, then weakened. FAMILY GIRL prompted the pace three deep then stalked outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and also weakened. EASY GRADER chased a bit off the rail then between foes leaving the backstretch and into the turn, angled to the inside on the turn and lacked a response in the drive.

TOOREEN DANCER (IRE) stalked off the rail then a bit off the fence, came three wide into the stretch, rallied under left handed urging to collar the pacesetter in deep stretch and proved best. GRATZIE (GB) angled in and chased just off the rail then outside a rival, also came three wide into the stretch and edged the pacesetter late for second. GLIDING BY had good early speed and set a pressured pace inside, inched away on the second turn, edged clear in the stretch, could not match the winner late and lost the place on the line. LEXINGTON GRACE (IRE) broke out and bumped a rival, pressed the pace outside a rival, stalked just off the fence on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened some in the final furlong. TONAHUTU (IRE) hopped slightly at the start, chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SHEHASTHERITESTUFF angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came a bit off the rail past midstretch and lacked a rally. SIBERIAN IRIS (IRE) chased outside a rival, went three deep leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. VEVINA hopped a bit then bobbled slightly at the start and was bumped, saved ground chasing the pace, dropped back on the second turn and in the stretch and weakened.

LITTLEBITAMEDAL saved ground stalking the pace, cut the corner into the stretch, bid outside the runner-up under urging past midstretch and gamely prevailed. EXULTATION went up inside to duel for the lead, inched away a bit off the rail into the stretch, drifted in some, kicked clear, fought back inside the winner in the final sixteenth and continued gamely. IT MAKES SENSE stalked early then bid four wide between foes leaving the backstretch and on the turn and into the stretch, drifted in a bit and held third. SURFSIDE SUNSET also stalked early then pressed the pace five wide into and on the turn and into the stretch, continued under left handed urging in upper stretch, had the rider lose the whip in midstretch, drifted in some and was edged for the show. BEAR CHUM (AUS) hopped in a bit of a slow start, stalked outside then alongside a rival, swung five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MAAHES had good early speed and dueled between horses, drifted out some into the stretch, drifted in a bit in midstretch and weakened. DISCO CAT dueled three deep then three wide between horses, fell back a bit leaving the turn, steadied when crowded into the stretch and also weakened.

CHRISTY JACKSON angled in and stalked off the rail then outside a rival, bid outside the pacesetter into the stretch, took a short lead in upper stretch and gamely prevailed under urging. DON'TEATMYCOOKIES sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside on the turn, fought back inside in the stretch and continued willingly to the wire. SMITTEN KITTEN a bit slow to begin, was sent along outside a rival, split horses three deep leaving the backstretch, angled in some early on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and gained the show. PULPITINTHESKY stalked outside then three deep into and out of the turn and lacked the needed rally. CARRIE'S SUCCESS chased between horses, dropped back off the rail on the backstretch, came around a rival into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. JUST BE HELD hopped slightly at the start, saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside into and through the stretch and weakened. LEA'S REWARD saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. LOVELY LINDA stalked outside a rival then between foes leaving the backstretch, steadied in a bit tight early on the turn, fell back, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. MAMA'S KID pulled her way along outside a rival then between horses, dropped back between foes as the saddle slipped some and was pulled up and walked off.

S Y SKY had good early speed off the rail then angled in, dueled inside, inched away briefly in upper stretch then fought back along the rail under left handed urging and held gamely. QUEEN BEE TO YOU prompted the pace outside the winner, drifted out a bit and fell back some into the stretch, angled in and bid again alongside the winner in midstretch and continued willingly to the wire. FIERY LADY chased outside a rival, came out leaving the hill and five wide into the stretch and edged foes for the show. BELLA LUMA chased inside then a bit off the rail, came out three deep into the stretch and was edged for third between foes late. PULPIT RIDER stalked along the inside, came out into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and was edged for a minor share inside. CORDIALITY close up stalking the pace three deep then outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. BARBARA BEATRICE settled outside a rival chasing the pace, came four wide into the stretch and was outfinished. HALO DARLIN between horses early, stalked the pace inside, continued along the rail in the drive and weakened some in the final furlong. Rail on hill at zero.

ORIGINAL INTENT angled in and settled outside a rival, came out in upper stretch, bid three deep under urging past the eighth pole to gain the lead and won clear. BUILDER bobbled some at the start, angled in and dueled inside, inched away into the stretch, came a bit off the rail in the drive, was between horses past midstretch and came back to edge a rival for the place. ROLLS ROYCE DEAL angled in on the first turn and saved ground casing the pace, bid along the rail in the stretch, got past the runner-up in deep stretch then was edged by that one for second. ROARING FORK angled in and stalked a bit off the rail, loomed a threat between horses in midstretch and weakened some in the final furlong. JUNE TWO FOUR saved ground chasing the pace, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. UNION REBEL drifted out into the first turn, chased off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. FOR THE HUSTLE drifted wide into the first turn, angled in and dueled outside the runner-up, took a short lead on the backstretch, drifted out again into the stretch and weakened. DERBY FACTOR angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, dropped back on the second turn, came out into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the drive. BUCK DUANE came off the rail early, chased outside a rival, dropped back between foes then off the inside on the second turn, also gave way and was eased in the lane.

RYE between horses early, stalked inside, cut the corner into the stretch, bid inside to gain the lead past the eighth pole under some urging and drew clear. ASHLEYLUVSSUGAR bobbled at the start, angled in and pulled outside a rival then a bit off the rail, came out leaving the backstretch, went three deep on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and gained the place. ACCOUNTABILITY stalked the pace inside, came out into the stretch, split horses past midstretch and edged the pacesetter for third. KING ABNER had speed outside then angled in, set a pressured pace inside then kicked clear into the first turn, set the pace just off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch, battled outside the winner in midstretch and was edged late for the show. UNUSUALLY GREEN chased between horses, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. INCREDIBLE LUCK angled in and saved ground off the pace, continued inside into and through the stretch and improved position. THE STREET FIGHTER pulled and steadied early, tugged his way between rivals to press the pace then stalked between foes, came out into the stretch and weakened some in the final furlong. HE WILL settled three deep, came out five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CAMINO DEL PARAISO stalked four wide on the first turn and three deep on the backstretch and second turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. MARCKIE'S WATER three deep between horses on the first turn, stalked between rivals, came out into thee stretch and weakened in the final furlong.