Yonaguska Rolls to Flash Victory

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Yonaguska, purchased earlier this year at a 2-year-old auction for $1,950,000, ran his record to two-for-two with an easy win in The Flash Stakes Friday at Belmont Park.

After some bumping at the start of the five-furlong race--causing a steward's inquiry which left the result unchanged--Jerry Bailey moved Yonaguska to the outside of The Goo, then eased home 2 1/2 lengths in front.

By Cherokee Run out of the Silver Ghost mare Marital Spook, Yonaguska broke his maiden by a widening 9 1/4 lengths on May 3 at Churchill Downs. He was the solid choice in The Flash, paying $3.90, $3.20 and $2.40.

Yonaguska, purchased at the Fasig-Tipton February auction for $1.95 million, races for Michael Tabor and is trained by D. Wayne Lukas.

The Goo broke his maiden at Keeneland on April 7, then changed barns, going to Nick Zito. He returned $8 and $4.50. City Zip was third, paying $3.

Yonaguska ran the distance in :57 4/5 after fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 4/5.

Lukas said the winner sustained a cut in the Flash, an injury that likely occurred at the break. "It was good to see him run that way, in light of what we invested," Lukas said. "He handled everything well." The trainer said it was even more impressive considering that Yonaguska started from the outside post position. "You can lose touch with the race sometime, starting from way out there." (Chart, Equibase)

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