De Bertie Edges Favored Apple of Kent in Rampart

De Bertie earned her second graded stakes win on the current Gulfstream Park meet, closing from last place to win Sunday's $200,000 Rampart Handicap (gr. II) by 2 1/2 lengths over favored Apple of Kent. In January at Gulfstream, the former claimer earned her first career stakes win in the Sabin Handicap (gr. III).

Ridden by a patient Jorge Chavez, De Bertie trailed the seven-horse field after a half-mile run in :47.64, as Scratch Pad held a three-length lead with five furlongs to run. De Bertie began to rally on the second turn as Apple of Kent began to pressure Scratch Pad. Apple of Kent took over the lead at the top of the stretch as De Bertie continued her wide run. De Bertie gained the advantage with a furlong to run and drew away in the final sixteenth-mile, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.48 on a fast track.

Apple of Kent came home second, eight lengths clear of third-place Scratch Pad. Humble Clerk finished fourth, followed by Run for Joy, Dynasmmesch, and Cash's Pride.

The second choice in the betting, De Bertie returned $8.20, $2.80, and $2.60. Apple of Kent paid $2.40 and $2.40 and completed an exacta worth $16.20. Scratch Pad paid $3.60 to show.

Richard, Bertram, and Elaine Klein's De Bertie (De Niro--Pigeon Pea, by Topsider) earned $120,000 for the win, her sixth in 16 starts. De Bertie earned her first career win in a maiden claiming race last June and moved up to the allowance ranks in July after two more starts in claiming heats. She made her first start of 2001 in an optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park, finishing second to Scratch Pad, before winning the Sabin Handicap in her next start. A 4-year-old, De Bertie was bred by Nicholas F. Brady and is trained by Bernard Flint.(Chart, Equibase)