Turfway Spiral Stakes Results

Dateline: 03/26/01
By: Terence Dulay

A lackluster field of 9 met in the $600,000 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday. It was the last chance for most of the field to earn themselves tickets to Louisville. D. Wayne Lukas, who seems to be running out of Derby hopes by the week, sent out Buckle Down Ben who was made the lukewarm favorite at 3.30-1 while expected pacesetter Keats was the second choice at 3.80-1.

Eventual winner Balto Star in the paddock prior to the Spiral Stakes

Balto Star, a 6-1 shot, was able to sprint clear at the start and set the pace with fractions of 22.53, 45.46, 1:10.68, and 1:35.10 for the mile, remaining a length and a half ahead of the pack. As he turned for home, jockey Mark Guidry asked and he responded, extending his lead to eight lengths in mid stretch and winning by 12 3/4. He stopped the clock in 1:47.23 for the 1 1/8 miles, setting a new record for longest winning margin and the third fastest time in stakes history. The longest shot on the board, Halo's Stride, was always in contention and was able to hold second at odds of 55-1.

Balto Star's connections in the winner's circle for the trophy presentation

Pletcher is still undecided as to where the gelding will make his next start but vanned him to Keeneland on Sunday making the Blue Grass Stakes most likely next on his agenda.

Pgm  Horse              Jockey            Win   Place  Show
 4   Balto Star         Guidry          14.00    8.20  5.40
 5   Halo's Stride      Court                   35.20 14.00
 6   Mongoose           Espinoza                       5.00

Winning Time:  1:47.23

$2 Exacta 4-5               510.60
$2 Trifecta 4-5-6         3,396.80
$2 Superfecta 4-5-6-7    15,873.00

All photos by Tom Sporney. Logo courtesy of Turfway Park.

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