Miss Shop Sweeps to Turnback the Alarm Win

Hobeau Farm homebred Miss Shop rallied from last to win the $107,800 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (gr. III) for fillies and mares going away in a surprise at Aqueduct Saturday.

Ridden by Raul Rojas for trainer Allen Jerkens, Miss Shop bid three wide on the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile event, overtaking Dina inside the eighth pole and posting a 1 1/2-length victory in a time of 1:50 4/5 on a fast track. It was the first stakes victory for the 3-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Deputy Minister--Shopping (Private Account).

Dina, with Alan Garcia aboard, held second by a nose over Marimba Rhythm and Jose Lezcano. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to the 2-5 choice Teammate, who was dropping from grade I company in his past six starts by Jerkens.

"Miss Shop saved the day," Jerkens said. "She's been a very honest filly. What impressed me about her was that she was able to kick in off that slow pace. Teammate stumbled at the start but got to the front in easy fractions, so I thought she'd gallop from there. Both horses will go to Florida."

After breaking first, Miss Shop was rated at the rear of the six-horse field as Teammate staked slow fractions of :25 2/5, :50 1/5 and 1:13 4/5. Teammate tired a furlong from home as Dina took the lead in deep stretch. Miss Shop, though, dug in between horses to challenge Dina and pulled away in the final strides.

"She really relaxed nicely," Rojas said. "The chief told me to sit chilly on her and wait until the last part. She responded in the last part."

Miss Shop won for the fourth time in 12 starts in 2006. She earned $64,680 for the sixth lifetime victory in 15 starts. Her bankroll stands at $323,630.

The third choice in the field, Miss Shop paid $20, $8 and $7.20. Dina returned $14 and $11.40. Marimba Rhythm was $11.80 to show.

Teammate was followed by Pleasant Chimes and Sweet Symphony.

(Chart, Equibase)