March Survives Bay Shore Inquiry

Robert LaPenta's March first held off a furious late run from Lord Nelson before surviving a stewards' inquiry to take the $300,000 Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III) by half a length at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 4 .

The focus of the inquiry was on the rough trip that runner-up Lord Nelson received during the running of the race, when he checked back to last early on, before being brushed by March in the stretch.

Down the backside, soon after a slow start, Lord Nelson was hustled up by jockey Joel Rosario to save ground along the rail but appeared to duck in slightly, dropping back to last in the field of eight. The California shipper was cutting back after a fourth-place finish in the March 7 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) going 1 1/16-miles at Santa Anita Park for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Meanwhile, March was racing last early on under Irad Ortiz Jr. avoiding all the trouble as pacesetter Papa Upa set the half-mile in :46.79 with both Easy to Say and Ready for Rye in close pursuit.

As the field turned for home, Ready for Rye, the 6-5 favorite off of his powerful victory in the March 7 Swale Stakes (gr. II), loomed boldly under Luis Saez, but March and Ortiz were splitting horses with a strong rally from seventh.

March quickly got on even terms with Ready for Rye before taking the lead in the stretch and looked home before Lord Nelson came from out of the clouds to put in an amazing run from dead-last, only to flatten out late when brushed by March in deep stretch.

The inquiry sign was posted and the numbers of March, Ready for Rye and Easy to Say were all flashing before the stewards left the result alone.

"He was jumping a little early," said jockey Joel Rosario, the rider of Lord Nelson. "I tried to put him in the race a little bit, get him up closer to the pace, but he didn't want to be there. He backed up, backed up, (and) then I had to take him way in the middle of the track so he wouldn't get hit with dirt. He just kept on running. It was a very impressive race."

It was a sharp effort for March too, who notched his first career stakes win for LaPenta. The longtime owner purchased the 3-year-old colt for $320,000 at the 2012 Keeneland November sale.

"It was a little nerve-wracking (waiting on the inquiry), but I feel the stewards made the right decision," said Cherie De Vaux, assistant to trainer Chad Brown. "I think he ran really well. After being in the Withers, Chad said maybe try him as a come-from-behind sprinter. It was definitely the right call. He sat nicely in the back and came with a really good kick. We'll see how he comes out of it and go from there."

March returned $21.20, $7, and $3.50 after covering the seven furlongs in 1:24.72.

"I had a good trip," Ortiz Jr. said. "My horse was coming from longer races. We just wanted to break good and come from behind, and he did it. The trainer did a great job with him. My horse came out a little bit at the end, but I think the (stewards) made the right decision."

Lord Nelson returned $4 and $2.80 after the eventful trip, while Ready for Rye paid $2.10. Easy to Say finished fourth and was followed by Majestic Affair, Papa Upa, Ackeret,and Final Chapter.

March was bred in Kentucky by Lakland Farm and is by Blame out of the Unbridled's Song mare Lifeinthefastlane. He improved his record to two wins and a second from four starts for earnings of $237,500.