Riskaverse Rallies for Miss Grillo Victory

Riskaverse charged to the lead in mid-stretch and held on for a 1 1/4-length victory Sunday in the $86,700 Miss Grillo Stakes at Aqueduct.

Riskaverse (Dynaformer--The Bink, by Seeking the Gold), carrying 118 pounds and ridden by Robbie Davis, covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.61 on the firm turf.

"I was able to tuck down inside going into the first turn and that helped a lot," Davis said. " When I asked her at the quarter-pole she darted forward and was pretty game through the stretch run."

Lujien Lujien, the favorite in the field of 12, finished second. Kathy K D was another three-quarters of a length back in third in the race for 2-year-old fillies.

"Her position on the first turn didn't help her today," said Lujien Lujien's trainer, H. James Bond. "She might have been a little closer to the pace than she wants to be, too. The winner ran a great race and she's a nice filly. We'll have to make a decision about shipping to California for the Miesque."

Riskaverse broke her maiden on grass, going six furlongs at Belmont Park on July 13. In three subsequent starts on dirt she won once. Most recently, she finished third behind You in the Frizette (gr. I).

"I was glad we got her back on the turf," said Davis. "I think she's twice the filly on grass as opposed to the main track."

The winner earned $50,820 for Fox Ridge Farm and returned $8 $3.40 and $2.20. Lujien Lujien paid $2.40 and $2.10 and Kathy K D showed at $2.60. The winning exacta combination returned $16.20.

"She rated nicely and settled well," said winning trainer Patrick Kelly, who also saddled Discovery Handicap (gr. III) winner Evening Attire on opening day of the meet. "We wanted to get her back on the turf because she's probably going to run in the Miesque (gr. IIIT, Hollywood Park, Nov. 23). We lost some training when she got sick after the Frizette. She was going to run at Keeneland (Oct. 25, Green River), but we had to scrap that when she had a 102 temperature." (Chart, Equibase)