Dash for Cash Futurity : Special Shake Is Surprise Victor Over Runaway Winner

Special Shake, ridden by John Creager, upset heavy favorite Runaway Winner Saturday night at the $698,000 Dash For Cash Futurity at the Los Alamitos Race Course in front of 7,133.

Special Shake, owned by C.B. and Delellis A. Albrecq of Newhall, Calif., was the second best qualifier (19.90 seconds) to Runaway Winner in a trials race.

The 2-year-old quarterhorse trained by Russell Harris, who lost to Runaway Winner twice in the last two months, covered the 400 yards in 19.81 seconds, beating second-place Bonsai Billy by a half-length. The colt has earned $300,627 in seven starts after Saturday’s $259,540 winnings.

Special Shake returned $8.20, $4.40 and $2.80. Bonsai Billy, riddened by Ward Johnson, returned $33.20 and $4.60. Runaway Winner finished third and returned $2.20.

Special Shake, as is his custom, was not among the leaders early and was fifth a furlong from home, trailing leader Bonsai Billy by a half-length at that point.

Bonsai Billy earned $95,620 Saturday, and has won $263,740 in five starts. Runaway Winner, who was ridden by Robert Bard, earned $51,225, and has won $255,770 in six starts.

Runaway Winner had beaten Special Shake in the June 6 Kindergarten and before that in their trial to the Grade I event in late May, but the 1-2 favorite couldn’t hold off his adversary Saturday and suffered only his second career loss in six starts.

Bonsai Billy, a $15,250 supplement to the trials, held on to get the place, a head ahead of Runaway Winner. The gelding by Beduino needed a shake to reach the Dash For Cash final, as his 20.17 trials night time only tied for 10th fastest with two others. He went off at 51-1 in the Dash For Cash.