A PERFECT ALIBI
Perfect Alibi wins Spinaway Stakes, validates Adirondack score
SARATOGA SPRINGS >> When Perfect Alibi upset the Adirondack at 6-1 – besting oddson Frank’s Rockette, who had endured a somewhat troubled trip – many thought the latter would get her revenge in Sunday’s $350,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1). Frank’s Rockette was once again sent off as the favorite (9-5), while Perfect Alibi’s 5-1 post-time odds reflected bettors’ lack of confidence that her Adirondack win was genuine.
When Frank’s Rockette put away pacesetter Mundaye Call at the top of the lane, and scooted away to a short lead, it looked like bettors probably had it right. But Perfect Alibi, who had bided her time toward the rear through a swift :45.45 half-mile, had yet to make her run. Looking for room inside Frank’s Rockette, she finally got through, collaring the favorite at the sixteenth pole and continuing on to post a lengthand-a-quarter victory.
“She amazes me because she’s just so laid back and doesn’t get excited about anything,” said winning trainer Mark Casse. “I wasn’t sure if she was going to get through.
I knew if she could just her head in front, she would probably be fine. What a nice filly.”
Frank’s Rockette finished five lengths clear of third-place finisher Figure of Speech for the runner-up spot. Miss Peppina, Shippy, Risky Mischief and Mundaye Call followed in that order. Perfect Alibi was clocked in 1:23.44 for seven furlongs over a fast main track.
“She has a lot of heart,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr. “She showed she had a lot of fight in last time [in the Adirondack], so I wasn’t afraid to make that tight space. I didn’t have too many options, and when I saw the space along the rail, I went for it.”
Perfect Alibi now sports a 3-1-0 record from four starts, with earnings of $380,988. The daughter of Sky Mesa, who competes for Tracy Farmer, has confirmed her place among this year’s top juvenile fillies.