Afleet Deceit overcomes traffic trouble in Sam Houston Distafff

Afleet Deceit overcame trouble in the first turn to win the $50,000 Sam Houston Distaff by 1 1/2 lengths Saturday night. She overtook favorite Bella Medaglia in the stretch, as that one held second by 5 1/2 lengths over third-place finisher Mayhaw.

Afleet Deceit ($10.60) was bumped into the first turn and ended up in tight quarters while racing several lengths behind Truly Lucky, the pacesetter who was clear through fractions of 23.54 for the opening quarter, 47.11 for the half-mile, and 1:11.84 for six furlongs. Afleet Deceit picked up rivals on the final turn and into the stretch and went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.59.

Eguard Tejera was aboard for William Stiritz and trainer Scott Becker.

Afleet Deceit came into the Sam Houston Distaff off a fifth-place finish in the $75,000 Pippin at Oaklawn on Jan. 22. She picked up $30,000 for the win, which was her sixth from 21 starts. Afleet Deceit, who is a 5-year-old by Northern Afleet, has now earned $305,357.