Parimutuels

10-1 Flower Alley wins; favored Spanish Chestnut, Proud Accolade falter

By wire services
Published March 27, 2005

FLORENCE, Ky. - Long-shot Flower Alley rushed from the middle of the pack in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday.

Flower Alley finished a half-length ahead of Wild Desert in a slow 1:50-1 for the 11/8 miles on the muddy track.

Spanish Chestnut went off at 2-1 and led until the top of the final turn, but faded badly and finished sixth in the nine-horse field.

"Nothing happened, really," trainer Patrick Biancone said. "He just didn't stay. He was attacked early, and it was just a little too far for him."

Flower Alley had run only twice before, finishing third in a maiden race at Calder in December and winning a maiden race at Gulfstream in February.

With previous winnings of $21,660, he had earned less than any of his Lane's End rivals. His victory likely eliminated several horses from Kentucky Derby consideration, including Spanish Chestnut.

"We are going to go another program with him," Biancone said.

At 10-1, Flower Alley paid $22.40, $11.80 and $7.80. Wild Desert returned $8 and $5.60. Mr Sword paid $8.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he didn't know where Flower Alley would run next: "We are on a tight schedule now. I think the Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass will be next."

In the Rushaway Stakes, Proud Accolade, sent off at 2-5 and trying to establish himself as a legitimate Kentucky Derby prospect, broke slowly, ran in the middle of the 10-horse field most of the way, was never in contention and finished sixth. Cat Shaker powered his way from ninth to first, running down Daddy Joe, who had led from the gate. Daddy Joe finished half a length back. Catch Me was third. Cat Shaker paid $79.80 and fueled a record $112,262.20 superfecta.

DUBAI WORLD CUP Roses in May, who finished second to horse of the year Ghostzapper in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, took the lead after the first turn at the Nad al Sheba racetrack in the United Arab Emirates and needed little encouragement from jockey John Velazquez in beating Dynever by 3 lengths in the $6-million World Cup. The 5-year-old swept around the outside to seize control and became the fifth American horse to win the race held in the beachfront sheikdom. Choctaw Nation was third in the 10th running of the World Cup, giving American horses a sweep of the 11/4-mile race.

The World Cup was the centerpiece of a seven-race, $15.25-million card at the horse- and camel-racing complex outside Dubai.

In the $2-million UAE Derby, Blues and Royals rolled to a 12-length victory for Shiek Mohammed's Dubai-based Godolphin Racing, and racing manager Simon Crisford said the 3-year-old colt will run in the Kentucky Derby on May 7. Blues and Royals topped Marenostrum, with favorite Shamardal ninth. Shamardal, also owned by Godolphin, remains under Derby consideration. Parole Board, who finished third, has been transferred to Godolphin and might be sent to Louisville.

Grand Emporium won the $1-million Godolphin Mile by 11/4 lengths, with Qais second and Tsigane third. Phoenix Reach won the $2-million Dubai Sheema Classic by 2 lengths over Razkalla. Saratoga County won the $2-million, 6-furlong Dubai Golden Shaheen by a length over Tropical Star. Favorite Pico Central was fourth. Elvstroem sprinted away from the pack and won the $2-million Dubai Duty Free by 23/4 lengths.

GULFSTREAM: D' Wildcat Speed upset heavy favorite Isola Piu Bella in the $200,000 Rampart Handicap at Hallandale Beach, and 38-1 shot Interpatation broke its maiden, nosing out 4-5 favorite Tadreeb in the $100,000 Palm Beach Handicap. D' Wildcat Speed pulled away from Isola Piu Bella down the stretch, winning by 6 lengths in the race for females 3 and up. The 5-year-old by Forest Wildcat ran the mile and an eighth in 1:48.8 and paid $7.80, $3 and $2.10.

Interpatation split two horses at the 16th pole and made up 2 lengths in the final strides to edge Tadreeb in the race for 3-year-olds. Interpatation covered the mile and an eighth in 1:47.1 and paid $79.20, $17.80 and $7.80.

LAUREL PARK: Malibu Moonshine won by a neck in the $50,000 Private Terms Stakes in Maryland. He ran the mile in 1:40.04 and paid $8.60. Hello Jerry, a 50-1 shot, was second and Monster Chaser finished third. The exacta returned $272.20 and the triple paid $1,409.40. Malibu Moonshine wasn't one of the 358 3-year-olds named to the Triple Crown during the early nomination period that closed in late January. Trainer King T. Leatherbury indicated he will pay the $6,000 late nomination fee. "If he shows that he's worthy of it, we'll point for the Preakness," Leatherbury said.

SANTA ANITA: Undefeated 3-year-old High Standards held off Ransom Demanded by 11/4 lengths in the $95,475 San Pedro Stakes in Arcadia, Calif. High Standards ran 61/2 furlongs in 1:16.58 and paid $6.80, $3.80 and $2.60. Ransom Demanded returned $7.20 and $3.80, and Talking to John paid $3.60 to show.

JOCKEY DEATH: Sam McRae, a 16-year-old apprentice who had been riding for four months, was dragged 900 yards after he fell from Queen's Evidence and his foot became trapped in a stirrup. He died of head and chest injuries, Riverton Racing Club chief stipendiary steward Stewart Ching said in Wellington, New Zealand.

[Last modified March 27, 2005, 00:35:15]