Down the Aisle Up In Time in U.N. 'Cap

Charles Deters' homebred Down the Aisle closed determinedly through the stretch to catch 21-1 pacesetter Aly's Alley near the wire, winning the $350,000 United Nations Handicap (gr. IT) by 3/4 lengths Saturday at Monmouth Park. Under jockey Robbie Davis, the Bill Mott trainee completed the 1 3/8-mile race in 2:13.63 over firm turf.

Aly's Alley finished second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of wagering favorite Honor Glide. Monkey Puzzle was fourth, followed by Loch Bering. Michael Dickinson trainees Cetewayo and Tough Leader finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

Down the Aisle finished third in his previous two starts, the main-track Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) and the Hialeah Turf Cup (gr. IIT), after winning the Bougainvillea Handicap (gr. III) in his seasonal debut. He earned $210,000 for the United Nations win, his ninth in 20 career starts. Down the Aisle (Runaway Groom--That's My Hon, by L'Enjoleur) was bred in Kentucky. The 7-year-old set a Saratoga turf track record for 1 1/2 miles while winning an allowance race in 1997.

Down the Aisle returned $7, $4.20, and $2.80 and led an exacta worth $125.80. (Chart, Equibase)