Winning for the third time this year, Smart Coupons held off the favored Archers Bay by three-quarters of a length to win the $200,000 Excelsior Breeders Cup Handicap yesterday at Aqueduct. It was another 31/4 lengths back to Pasay.
Ridden by Rene Douglas, Smart Coupons paid $32.20 to win and ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 3/5 on a fast track. The New York bred won the Kings Point Handicap in his last start two weeks ago.
1ST RACE – Monetary Justice wanted to run early on lead but Filiberto Leon held him hard off pace. Around far turn, he went for lead along with Blues Begone, but he tired in stretch drive and bore in, slightly bumping tiring pacesetter Chunga.
2ND RACE – Designer’s Genes ran unusual race. Rated early, he suddenly fell back sharply when he changed leads entering far turn. Once he entered stretch, he switched leads again and ran well.
3RD RACE – Simonize has proven that he cannot hold lead in stretch drive, so Diane Nelson attempted to rate him and see if that tactic would work. Simonize wanted no part of it. He tried pulling Diane to lead and was climbing down backstretch. But as in past, once he hit stretch, tank was empty and he never contended thereafter. Rejoice By Choice stalked early pace and threatened to take lead, but he never changed leads and while drawing away from rest of the field, he lost ground to eventual winner Cellular Joe.
5TH RACE – Hex seemed to have perfect trip, saving ground and staying close to leaders. But going around far turn, In the Rain bore in slightly, causing Hex to check sharply. After that, Hex showed no interest. Trucking Baron was far back early but slowly moved into contention, running at full speed on outside as he entered stretch. Bridgmohan could have gone inside and maybe hole would have been available but he kept Trucking Baron on outside and without any traffic, just missed winning by nose. Despite loss, Bridgmohan made right choice.
6TH RACE – Fortress Strong broke sharply and forced Aaron Gryder to use whip early in order to get lead entering far turn with Guaranteed. He got first quarter in :25 but then went the next quarter in :23 4/5. By stretch, Guaranteed was done. Buck Strider took over and was all out to hold off Catienus, who was closing on outside. Richard Migliore claimed foul on Buck Strider for interference in stretch but it was disallowed.
9TH RACE – Devil’s Quid was making first start off Richard Dutrow Jr. claim and she had her running shoes on early. She sprinted quickly to lead, setting torrid fractions of :21 2/5 and :43 4/5. She likes running on lead but has never run that fast so early. Favored Rapidamente chased early leader with Red Melody but both had nothing left in stretch. Jane and Dootsie brushed each other entering stretch and ran as tandem to wire. Jane started to bear out as Julio Pezua kept whipping her left-handed, constantly bumping Dootsie along way. Jane won by neck but after jockey’s objection was disqualified and placed second. PICK SIXWinning number (1-5-8-7-1-1)5 winners each receives $88,571156 consolation (5 out of 6)winners each receives $625No Carryover