LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 16, 2008) – Talley Racing’s 11-1 longshot Initforthekandy led every step of the way under jockey John McKee and held off a late charge by 8-5 favorite Aspiring and 5-2 second choice Day of Victory to win Friday’s $45,200 allowance feature at Churchill Downs by a half-length.
The 6-year-old mare, conditioned by Jeff Talley, ran seven furlongs over a surface rated “fast” in 1:23.49 for her first victory in more than two years. It was her second triumph in three starts at seven-eighths of a mile on the main track.
Initforthekandy, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Kandaly, broke alertly and clicked off fractions of :22.96 for the first quarter mile and :46.01 for the half. At the head of the stretch, she was challenged by three rivals but kicked on gamely for her third victory in 26 lifetime starts. The victory was worth $28,348 and jumped her career earnings to $162,952.
Initforthekandy returned $25.20, $8.20 and $3.60. Aspiring paid $3.80 and $2.40. Undercover Angel was another neck back in third and paid $2.80.
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