SANTA ANITA : Skylaunch Rallies in Stretch to Beat Nancys French Fry
Skylaunch, ridden by Gary Stevens, lagged back until the stretch to win the $40,000 feature by 1 1/4 lengths Thursday at Santa Anita.
Nancys French Fry, the favorite under Fernando Valenzuela, finished second, 2 1/4 lengths in front of Private Premier in a field of seven in the allowance race for 4-year-olds and up, all carrying 118 pounds.
Skylaunch, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding, covered a mile over a fast track in 1:35 4-5 and paid $5.60, $2.80 and $2.40 as the second choice. He earned $22,000 for the victory.
Nancys French Fry returned $2.80 and $2.20 and Private Premier, with Eddie Delahoussaye aboard, showed at $2.60.
Nancys French Fry made her move on the final turn and had the advantage at the furlong marker but could not maintain the pace. Private Premier had the lead by a head at the three-quarter mark.
Stevens won his third race in the ninth aboard longshot Wild Lightning, paying $39.20 for the win. He won the third race aboard Gavel Gate.
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