Even-money favorite Broadway’s Alibi ran her winning streak to four Saturday afternoon with a front-running, 3
½-length victory in the 63rd edition of the Grade 3, $250,000 Comely
at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Leaving from post position 1, the 3-year-old Vindication filly went
straight to the front and led through an opening quarter-mile in 23.73 seconds
and a half in 47.25. Challenged by Singlet and Welcome Guest on the turn,
Broadway’s Alibi was asked for more by jockey Javier Castellano as they
straightened for home. She responded with a rousing late kick to draw clear
through the stretch, hitting the wire in 1:36.53 for the mile.
“I was much the best
in the field,” said Castellano. “When I asked her, she took off and
did it the right way today.”
Welcome Guest closed from fourth to gain second, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Millionreasonswhy.
“Terrific effort coming off a maiden win,” said trainer
Chad Brown of Welcome Guest, who in her previous start was a 5 ½-length maiden
winner at Gulfstream
Park. “She acted
really professional in the paddock, she warmed up beautifully, and she acted
good in the race. I’m anxious to get her around two turns when I can. We’ve
been gradually stretching her out and it’s a nice progression to a
one-turn mile. But I’d like to get her around two turns next time.”
Broadway’s Alibi, whose only loss was a second-place finish in
her debut, began her winning streak on September 10 when she broke her maiden
at Delaware Park by seven lengths, and continued it
with a five-length optional claiming victory there on December 15. In her other
start this year, she was a 16 ¾-length winner of the Grade 2 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park.
Owned by E. Paul Robsham
Racing Stables, Broadway’s Alibi earned $150,000 to increase her bankroll
to $339,000. She returned $4.30 for a $2 win bet in making her first start past
seven furlongs.
“I wanted to make a gradual stretch out, so we were
pleased,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “[As for trying two
turns], I don’t know yet. We’ll take her back to Palm Meadows
tomorrow and see how she trains. She was kind enough today to step up to a
mile. It’s encouraging, but we’ll just play it by ear and
see.”
Completing the order of finish were Singlet, Nuffsaid Nuffsaid, and
Bourbonstreetgirl.