Fast and Accurate Wins Alphabet Soup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Keith Jones
kjones@parxracing.com

BENSALEM, Pa., (Saturday, 22, 2018) ? Kendall E. Hansen's colt Fast and Accurate closed strong through the stretch and dug deep late to outgame stablemate Bern' Jamers Bern to his outside by a length under jockey Jose Ortiz to win the $100,000 Alphabet Soup Stakes in 1:47.26 for the 1 1/16 miles over the turf listed as good.

The victory by the 4-year-old son of Hansen was his first of the year while making his sixth start following his runner-up performance in the Leematt Stakes on July 8 at Presque Isle Downs. Ortiz, aboard the Michael Maker-trained colt for the first time rated in mid-pack while Saratoga Jack set the pace in soft fractions of 23.72 for the opening quarter and 48.10 for the half-mile.

With three-quarters run in 1:14.48, Ortiz began to let his horse take control. Rounding the outside into the stretch, the winner of four races from 17 lifetime starts took command through the lane while his stablemate Bern' James Bern rallied strong under Jose's brother Irad Ortiz Jr. "It was perfect. I just let him relax on the first turn," Ortiz said. "When he made the lead, he kind of stopped running a little bit. When he felt the other horse [Bern' James Bern] to the outside of him, he dug in with him.

"I knew he was a nice horse and he fit in good with these. I just tried to see when he ran well, how he was doing, and just try to put him right where it counted."

Bern' James Bern settled for second giving Maker the exacta finish in the field of nine while Jose Ortiz got the advantage over older brother Irad to the wire. Threeohtwocassie came on for third 3 3/4 lengths behind, while Someday Jones followed 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth.

Rounding out the order of finish was Flashy Kyem, Saratoga Jack, Taxable Goods, Missin the Big Dog and They Shot Sonny

Fast and Accurate paid $3.80 on a $2 win wager. ?