Allegre, Shesa Private I take twin features

It was Grade 1-caliber shipper Obrigado who drew all the attention before Sunday's $50,000 Wildcat Handicap at Turf Paradise, but it was the up-and-coming Allegre who got all the plaudits after the 1 3/8-mile turf race as he posted a powerful victory.

Allegre, a 4-year-old colt by champion sprinter Orientate, made it three wins in a row and five of his last six for trainer Mike Chambers. He sat midpack early off modest splits, surged to a clear lead into the lane, opened up, and won by 3 1/2 lengths with seemingly something left. On My Dime was near the winner throughout; he couldn't accelerate with that rival but ran on to get second, a head in front of Obrigado, the 6-5 favorite who rallied from well back for third in the field of nine.

Allegre ran the distance in 2:14.58 under Jake Barton, and paid $7.80 as the second choice. The winner's share of $30,000 pushes his earnings to $78,320 from five wins in 10 starts. He might go next in the 1 7/8-mile Hasta La Vista Handicap, the traditional closing-day feature here May 3.

* Shesa Private I, sent off the heavy 3-5 favorite in the $50,000 Princess of Palms after a strong win in last month's Mesa Handicap, backed up bettors' confidence with a game win. She dueled with Goodbye Norma Jean from the start in the six-furlong contest for older fillies and mares, got the better of that rival in the lane and edged away for the length victory under Barton, who won both of the day's stakes. Goodbye Norma Jean stayed on for second, ahead of Wide Eyed View in third in the field of six.

Shesa Private I, owned by Tangarae Farms LLP and trained by Bart Hone, ran the distance in 1:08.92. She paid $3.40, and the winner's share of $30,000 pushes her earnings to $310,755 from 12 wins in 29 starts.