Devilment Delivers Stakes Record in Round Table

(from Arlington Park report)
Devilment rallied with a wide move on the second turn and took command at the top of the stretch to easily win the $100,000 Round Table Stakes for 3-year-olds by two lengths Saturday at Arlington Park.

The Mike Stidham-trained son of Peaks and Valleys covered the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:47.73, smashing the stakes record of 1:48.98 set by Cowboy Stuff in 2002. Devilment recorded the fastest nine furlongs at Arlington since the track re-opened in May 2000.

Ridden by Carlos Marquez Jr., Devilment was steadied briefly on the backstretch before launching his winning move with about a half-mile to run in the race.

"We got to the backside and I had to get him clear because he was starting to run up into horses," said Marquez, who was riding Devilment for the first time this season after serving as his regular partner during his 2-year-old season. "I lost a little ground but I think it was the right move to make. It was better than getting him stopped and trying to get him going again. Once I got him clear, he took me where I wanted him to."

The Round Table was the first stakes win for Devilment and his third win in seven starts overall. The $60,000 winner's share more than doubled his earnings to $117,600 for his owner, the Pin Oak Stable of Josephine Abercrombie, who purchased the colt for $65,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Sale.

"He reminded us a lot of Peaks and Valleys," Mrs. Abercrombie said. "He's a grand looking colt. We were so happy to be able to get something by Peaks and Valleys."

Real Dandy, the 2-1 post time favorite with Mark Guidry aboard, rallied to finish second in the eight-horse field, 1 1/4 lengths clear of High Expectations.

"I had a perfect trip," Guidry said. "I got through on the fence and tried to make a run, but we just got beat by a better horse today."

Thunder Mission set a stout pace while leading through fractions of :23.52, :46.80 and 1:10.68 before fading to fourth. Tupper Lake, Straight Line, Apache Point, and Bob O's Boy completed the order of finish.

Devilment paid $11, $5 and $3.40. Real Dandy returned $3.40 and $2.40. High Expectations paid $2.80.

(Chart, Equibase)