2010 Carter and Excelsior Handicaps

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The $200,000 Excelsior Stakes (G3) features older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the main track. Nite Light was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the field of 5, off a third place finish in the Stymie in March and winless since September. In to challenge him included 3-2 second choice Goldsville, an allowance winner last out after finishing fifth in the San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita, and 9-2 third choice More Than a Reason, an allowance winner last out after finishing 5th in the Stymie.

Jockey Channing Hill sent Seniors Pride to the lead early and he set early fractions of 24.35, 49.20, and 1:13.79 while a length in front of Goldsville stalking him in second. Entering the stretch, Goldsville surged to the front getting 1 mile in 1:38.07. Nite Light, who raced in third early, came through along the rail, but Goldsville edged clear late to win by 3/4 length in 1:51.43. It was just a neck back from Nite Light to Seniors Pride third, and another neck to More Than A Reason fourth.

Results chart from DRF