Fair Point Makes the Grade in Maddy

Only a neck back from her first graded score in the Oct. 14 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland, Stuart S. Janney III's Fair Point left no doubt Nov. 5 in the $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy (gr. IIIT).

In her first start in California, the 4-year-old Smart Strike filly surged by a host of horses in the stretch and won decisively in the about 6 1/2-furlong test down the Santa Anita Park hillside turf course.

While a group of horses clustered into a group inside, Jose Ortiz and Fair Point found clear sailing on the outside, easily passed stretch leader Lady Shipman and held off fellow closer Miss Double d'Oro to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Most Beautiful also passed Lady Shipman in the final strides to pick up the show honors.

Lady Shipman broke best from post 13 and had an early advantage, but Juno rushed up to take command and ran the first quarter in :21.20 and a half in :42.99. Lady Shipman inherited the lead as Juno tired and held a two-length lead at the eighth pole, but tired late. Fair Point hit the wire in 1:11.75 to secure the victory for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Fair Point paid $11, $5.60, and $4 across the board and now has a 5-7-1 record from 14 starts. She was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, M R Capital, and Sam-Son Farm out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Fair Rose.

Miss Katie Mae came in fifth, followed by Acapulco, Off the Road, Wild At Heart, Mehronissa, Entrechat, Juno, and Snow Cloud, to complete the order of finish.