Saylorville: Lady Chace hangs on by a head

The Saylorville Stakes, a $100,000 sprint for filllies and mares, kicked off opening night of the Iowa Festival of Racing.

With Oklahoma invader Miranda Diane blazing a trail of 21.32 and 43.89 in the six-furlong event, Thompson tucked Lady Chace neatly in a striking position. Taking advantage of plenty of space toward the rail, Lady Chace surged to a clear lead turning for home and found enough under pressure to hold off the Greg Foley-trained Nadeshiko, who ducked out three wide at the sixteenth marker when rallying. The Asmussen-trained P.S.U. Grad hugged the rail throughout and managed a third-place finish, one length behind the willing Nadeshiko. Stopping the clock in 1:08.92, Lady Chace, the second choice in the wagering behind the Tom Proctor-trained Sly Storm, who finished seventh, paid $8.80 to win.

Lady Chace was bred by John and Harriet Mack and was foaled and raised at Woodford Thoroughbreds. She was the highest priced Tiznow filly of her crop and brought $290,000 as a yearling. She was picked by the astute horseman Buzz Chace. Woodford Thoroughbreds will offer a full sister at Keeneland September. Lady Chace's dam Squall City also has a foal by Tiznow and is in foal to Dynaformer.

Kodiak Kowboy rebounds in LeVine

Larry Jones was expecting a strong bounce-back effort from Kodiak Kowboy. So were the bettors who pounded the 4-year-old down to 3-10 for the $200,000 Donald LeVine Memorial Handicap Saturday at Philadelphia Park.

Kodiak Kowboy ($2.60) delivered, powering to a four-length victory over Cassoulet. He delivered his signature closing kick, rallying from sixth with a powerful run that started midway on the turn.

Widest of all in the stretch, Kodiak Kowboy needed only modest encouragement from jockey Gabriel Saez to close the deal.

"The pace wasn't exceptionally fast the first quarter, but then it started picking up," Jones said. "He was a little closer than normal because of the pace. When he ran on by, he went by with some authority. He was carrying a lot more weight than some of those horses, and you don't want to check. You want a clean trip, even if you have to run a little farther."

Kodiak Kowboy carried top weight of 124 pounds, a tribute to his Grade 1 win in the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct in April.

Now it's on to Saratoga, where the Grade 1 Forego, at seven furlongs on Sept. 5, is the primary target. Kodiak Kowboy might prep for the Forego in Saratoga's Grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on Aug. 9.

"Our main objective is the Forego," Jones said. "We'd like to get a race over the track before that, and that should work."

Cassoulet nosed out Cherokee Country for the place spot. Whistle Pig was fourth. Encaustic and Acting Zippy dead-heated for fifth. Vigors Storm was the trailer.

The time was 1:21.38 for the seven furlongs.

The stakes is named for Donald LeVine, a longtime state steward at Philadelphia Park.

Kodiak Kowboy is out of Cloverleaf mare Kokadrie. Woodford Thoroughbreds will offer a half brother by Lion Heart at Keeneland September. The mare also has a foal by Giant's Causeway and is in foal to Indian Charlie.