Warning Zone, a group II stakes winner in her native South Africa, made her North American debut a winning one with a one-length tally in the $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial Handicap Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course.Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez teamed up for the score with the 5-year-old Elliodor mare, who covered about 7 1/2 furlongs over firm turf in 1:31.29 and paid $5.80, $3.80 and $3.20 as the post time favorite in the 12-horse field.Warning Zone raced three wide early while stalking the pace of Lost Bride, who led through six furlongs in 1:13.32 before giving way at the top of the stretch. She made her bid between rivals in the stretch and won under strong urging.Unraced since March 2004, Warning Zone entered the Krantz Memorial as a bit of an unknown quantity.Sister Swank rallied into the stretch to get up for the place, overtaking Gamble to Victory in the final strides.Sister Swank returned $4 and $3, while Gamble to Victory paid $5 to show.
(Chart, Equibase)
