Only At Night Runs Away With Mamie Eisenhower

(from Prairie Meadows report)
What could have been a potential match race between female titleholders One Fine Shweetie and Sharky's Review in Saturday's $60,000 Mamie Eisenhower Stakes at Prairie Meadows became a gate-to-wire runaway for a third contender in the race, Only At Night.

As the second wagering favorite on the board from the training stable of Suzanne Evans, Only At Night broke sharply from the gate with jockey David Essman. She charted six furlongs in 1:09.79, leading the entire distance of the Iowa-bred stake for fillies and mares under the threat of nighttime's thickening, rain-ladened skies.

Sharky's Review, who won the race in 2002, and her rider, Luis Quinonez, settled mid-pack until the top of the stretch, but the shorter distance made it difficult for her to catch Only At Night, and they settled for second. One Fine Shweetie pursued a wide trip from the back of the field under jockey Terry Thompson, finishing third by seven lengths.

Only At Night ran the third fastest Mamie Eisenhower clocking on behalf of owner Maggi Moss. The stakes record belongs to Nut N Better, which she set in 2001 in 1:09.36.

"She keeps getting a little stronger every time, but she has short legs," said Evans. "She tries hard. She had a better place on the track tonight."

Evans did not say what's next for the 5-year-old daughter of Olympio.

Essman has been a rider at Prairie Meadows since the 1989 inaugural season posting more than 1,200 career wins. "She relaxed a lot better today. She's been pushy the last few trips, but she relaxed today."

Only At Night is less than $8,000 away from $200,000 in her career of 20 starts, earning $36,000 Saturday. returned $7.20 $3.20, and $2.20.

(Chart, Equibase)