Jim Tafel’s 3-year-old Fast Alex may have put himself in the picture for the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) with a solid victory in an allowance race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 1 (VIDEO).
Ridden by Curt Bourque and trained by Greg Geier, Fast Alex was unhurried early but closed with a bold late rush to win the allowance/optional claiming race for 3-year-olds at a mile and 40 yards by 1 1/2 lengths.
Tafel owned Street Sense , who won the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Travers Stakes (both gr. I).
Fast Alex, by Afleet Alex out of the Unbridled mare Unaffordable, is a half brother to 2008 Louisiana Derby contestant Unbridled Vicar. The colt paid $6.40 to win and covered the distance on a sealed, sloppy track in 1:41.46. He increased his career earnings to $52,730 with his second win in three lifetime starts.
Stonestreet Stables’ Island Soul, the 14-10 favorite, took command in upper stretch, could not withstand the winner but was clearly second best over Strategy Racing Stable’s Awesome Encore.
