Adieu Waves Good-Bye to Astoria Foes

Favored Adieu dueled with Folklore from the break and drew away for a 1 ¼-length victory Sunday afternoon in the $109,500 Astoria for 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park.

In winning for the second time in as many starts for owner Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith, the El Corredor filly broke from the rail, engaged Folklore from the start and they dueled the first quarter in :22 1/5 and the half in :45 2/5 on the fast track. Fantast sat just of in stalking position from the outside, but it essentially remained a two-horse race until Adieu pulled away to win in :57 3/5.

Adieu returned $5, $2.80 and $2.50.

"They didn't hand it to her," said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. "From the inside post, she had to establish position. She worked hard the whole way, fought it out and was good enough to get it done."

"My horse broke really well; I tried to save my horse a little bit," said winning jockey Rafael Bejarano. "When I saw the other horse come outside of her, I didn't want to take her back. When I asked her at the quarter-pole, she was really strong."

Folklore, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, returned $2.80 and $2.40 as the 19-10 second choice. Wonder Lady Anne L, who finished 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner with Javier Castellano aboard, was $3.20 to show.

Fantast, Blissful Trip and Royalactgo completed the order of finish, while Fifth Avenue, Red Liquor n' Lace and Pam d'Monia were scratched.

(Chart, Equibase)