Allamerican Bertie rolls to victory in the Rampart Handicap.
Heavily favored Allamerican Bertie led from start to finish in Saturday's $200,000 Rampart Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park, winning in dominating fashion over five overmatched rivals.The 4-year-old daughter of Quiet American, ridden by John Velazquez and carrying top weight of 122 pounds, was 7 3/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Smok'n Frolic, winning the 1 1/8-mile Rampart in a time of 1:47.92. Softly was a distant third, some 14 lengths behind the winner.Breaking from the outside, Allamerican Bertie went to the lead immediately while racing off the rail, eventually sliding to the inside in front of Smok'n Frolic. She clicked off easy fractions of :23 4/5 for the opening quarter-mile, :47 1/5 for the half and 1:10 2/5 for six furlongs while lengthening her lead to about three lengths. As they hit the stretch, she opened up on Smok'n Frolic to draw away under a hand ride.It was the second consecutive graded stakes win in 2003 for the Steve Flint-trained Allamerican Bertie, who is owned by Betram, Richard and Elaine Klein and was bred in Kentucky by Bert Klein. She won the Sabin Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream on Feb. 8 by 5 1/4 lengths.Overall, Alamerican Bertie has eight victories in 14 career starts. She earned $120,000 for her victory Saturday to increase her career total to $799,235.Sent off at 2-5, the winner paid $2.80, $2.10 and $2.10. Smok'n Frolic returned $2.20 and $2.10. Softly's show price was $2.10. The $2 exacta was worth $3.(Chart, Equibase)
