The morning line favorite in the field of 11, Belle of Perinton paid $9 for the win and combined with Perfect Story for a $2 exacta payoff of $30.80. Quick Smoke was third. The winning time was 1:25.(Chart, Equibase)
Perfect Story, a half-sister to 2001 Preakness, Belmont and and Travers (all gr. I) winner Point Given, ran a powerful debut race for owner John Oxley Saturday at Keeneland, losing by about a length to Belle of Perintown after taking the lead in the stretch with a wide move.The 2-year-old filly by Tale of the Cat out of Turko's Turn was a $975,000 buy in the Keeneland November 2000 sale. She is trained by John Ward.Ridden by Edgar Prado, Perfect Story, the 7-5 favorite in the seven-furlong maiden test, rated behind Leilani's Song and Belle of Perintown, making a three-wide move on the turn for home to grab a short lead. She could not hold off Belle of Perintown and jockey Mark Guidry, on her inside, down the stretch, however.
