Pick of the Litter rallies late to win the Fayette Stakes at Keeneland
Pick of the Litter and Corey Lanerie finally got room late to get up and win the $200,000 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland. Sent off at odds of 7/1, Pick of the Litter was fifth early on as Departing (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection), Long River and Call Me George all went out to set the pace. Long River was the widest of the three and stayed wide on both turns. Departing saved all the ground and as the two of them came to the top of the stretch as one, Departing started to go on with it as Long River couldn’t keep pace. Departing had a length lead with a furlong to go, but Pick of the Litter and Corey Lanerie came flying through a hole that opened late and got up to win by a neck over a very game Departing. Long River finished a length back in third.
Salutos Amigos scores in the Bold Ruler
Salutos Amigos rallied from off the pace to get the win in the Grade 3 $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park. River Rocks (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) went bursting out to the lead and opened up two lengths as he got through an opening quarter in a snappy 22.94 seconds. River Rocks brought that lead to the quarter pole but Confrontation (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) made a huge move from last all the way up to grab the lead in mid-stretch. But as Confrontation was making the lead Salutos Amigos (BetPTC.com Top Selection) kicked out to the far outside and unleashed a furious rally to blow by Confrontation late to win by three and one quarter lengths. Confrontation finished in second with Romansh finishing up in third.
In the Chelsea Flower Stakes it was Miss Chatelaine (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who rallied from off the pace to score the win. Sent off as the 8/5 favorite, Miss Chatelaine was 9th early on as Quick Reward broke on top. Early in the race Unbridled Sonya made a huge move from sixth all the way up to grab the lead as they ran towards the far turn. That lead was short lived as Margaret Reay (BetPTC.com Longshot) came up to assume command. But Margaret Reay’s lead was short lived as well as Miss Chatelaine rolled on by to score the win. Ack Naughty (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) finished up in second while Margaret Reay finished in third to complete a trifecta that paid $78.
Lexie Lou flies late to get the win in the Autumn Miss
Lexie Lou proved that her last race was more the exception than the rule as she rallied from sixth early on to win the Grade 3 Autumn Miss. Sent off as the 3/1 favorite, Lexie Lou was sixth early on as Zindaya (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) opened up a nice lead through very solid fractions early on. Zindaya brought that lead into the stretch but Corey Nakatani and Lexie Lou were kicked outside and came with a furious rally to blow by Zindaya and get the win by a length and a quarter in the end. Diversy Harbor (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was a distant last early on and was flying late to get up for second ahead of Zindaya who finished up in third.
Golden Actor dominates the Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs
Golden Actor shipped up from Gulfstream Park and turned in a huge performance at Delta Downs as he went on to win the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes on Saturday night. The race for two year olds is the big local prep for the $1,000,000 Delta Jackpot which will be run next month. Golden Actor was sixth early on as Control Stake (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) went out to set the pace in the one mile event. Control Stake and Gerard Melancon were able to navigate well on the lead and went into the final turn with the lead. But Golden Actor was unleashed on that final turn and drew away as they came into the stretch, eventually winning by four and one quarter lengths. Control Stake finished second with Incremental rounding out the trifecta.