LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Brian Griggs felt his knees wobble as he watched She's a Devil Due cross the finish line to win Sunday's $436,000 Grade II Alcibiades at Keeneland.

An assistant manager at a Toyota production plant in nearby Georgetown, Griggs and co-worker Mike Goetz took out 10-year second mortgages on their houses to buy a yearling filly for $30,000 at the suggestion of friend and trainer Kenny McPeek.

They should be able to pay off the debts with their $273,000 winner's check. If that doesn't cover it, there's the potential prize money associated with the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

"I'm walking on clouds right now. ... I don't even know how to describe what I'm feeling," said Griggs, 36. "We thought we might be in a claiming race up here, and then we end up in one of the major filly prep races for the Breeders' Cup. I'm just baffled by all of this. My goodness! We're in the Breeders' Cup. Can you believe it?"

She's a Devil Due, with Mark Guidry aboard, battled Nasty Storm neck and neck, finishing a head in front. Cash Deal, trained by D. Wayne Lukas for Overbrook Farm, finished third.

Platinum Tiara, the 8-5 favorite, finished fifth, nearly 11 lengths behind the winner.

She's a Devil Due came into the race unbeaten in three starts. She'll enter the Breeders' Cup as one of the week's most unlikely and emotional stories.

McPeek's wife, Sue, delivered the couple's first child by Caesarian section last week. The girl, Jennifer Lynne, was induced six weeks early because Sue is scheduled for surgery Oct. 24 to remove a cancerous tumor from the roof of her mouth.

"Obviously, this has been the most emotional week of my life," Kenny McPeek said.

Against the advice of doctors and family members, Sue was on hand and in a wheelchair Sunday to accompany her husband and dozens of Toyota employees to the winner's circle.

"There was no way they were going to keep me away," said Sue McPeek, who has undergone one chemotherapy treatment. "Trust me, I'll be there for the Breeders' Cup, too."

Heritage of Gold, meanwhile, will be examined by a veterinarian after her disappointing fourth-place finish in the Spinster Stakes. The Grade I stakes was won by Plenty of Light, more than 3 lengths in front of Spain. Roza Robata finished third.

Playoffs inspire winning trainer

NEW YORK -- Trainer Nick Zito was in a playoff frame of mind after victories in two Grade I stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Accepting congratulations, he shouted: "New York Mets! New York Yankees! New York Nick!"

Brooklyn-born Zito then credited Albert the Great and A P Valentine. The 3-year-old Albert the Great won the $1-million Jockey Club Gold Cup.

In the preceding race, A P Valentine won the $500,000 Champagne for 2-year-olds.

The victories put both colts in contention for division honors going into the Breeders' Cup.

Albert the Great, who won the 11/4-mile Gold Cup by 6 lengths over Behrens, is headed for the $4-million Breeders' Cup Classic. A victory there could earn him the 3-year-old championship, especially if he beats Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. That could even get him consideration for Horse of the Year.

A P Valentine, making his stakes debut, beat nine other colts in the Champagne for his second victory in three starts. Ridden by Jorge Chavez, who also rode Albert the Great, A P Valentine closed along the rail for a 1-length win over Point Given.

It was the third straight Champagne victory for Zito and the second in three years for Celtic Pride Stable, managed by Rick Pitino, coach of the NBA's Boston Celtics.

JAMAICA HANDICAP: King Cugat edged Mandarin Marsh by a nose at Belmont Park. King Cugat, ridden by Jerry Bailey, earned $120,000 from the $200,000 purse for Centennial Farms with his fourth victory in five starts this year. Fistfite beat Windsor Castle by 21/8 lengths in the $108,800 Cowdin for 2-year-olds, and Xtra Heat edged Gold Mover by a neck in the $110,100 Astarita for 2-year-old fillies.

TAYLOR STAKES: Fly for Avie, a long shot ridden by Todd Kabel, won the $330,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes in Toronto, beating favorites Lady Upstage and Innuendo.

OAK TREE STAKES: War Chant, who hadn't raced since finishing ninth in the Kentucky Derby on May 6, beat Road To Slew by a length to win the $285,750 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. War Chant's victory was worth $172,050, lifting his career earnings to $544,250. Heavily favored Kona Gold won he $196,498 Oak Tree Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap.

BREEDERS' CUP HANDICAP: Tiznow held off Captain Steve by a half-length in the $500,000 race at Santa Anita. Tiznow, ridden by Chris McCarron, earned $240,000.

SANTA ANITA: War Chant, who hadn't raced since finishing ninth in the Kentucky Derby on May 6, beat Road To Slew by a length to win the $285,750 Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile Stakes in Arcadia, Calif. War Chant's victory was worth $172,050, lifting his career earnings to $544,250.

Heavily favored Kona Gold won the $196,498 Oak Tree Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap.

In the $500,000 Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap, Tiznow held off Captain Steve by a half-length. Tiznow, ridden by Chris McCarron, earned $240,000 and paid $4.40, $3 and $2.40.

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