Aqueduct: Arena Elvira pulls away in Turnback the Alarm

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Stalking a slow pace, Arena Elvira took over from a spent Banker’s Buy around the far turn and widened through the stretch to win the rescheduled Grade 3, $98,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap as much the best.

Sent off as the second choice in a field of five older fillies and mares, Arena Elvira tracked Banker’s Buy through slow fractions, wrested command just after six furlongs in 1:16.21, and widened with every stride beneath Junior Alvarado to reach the wire in front by 6 3/4 lengths. The 4-year-old filly by Ghostzapper carried 118 pounds and ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.59 over a fast main track.

“I asked her, and she responded right away,” Alvarado said. “She took off. In the end, I was just keeping her straight. I wasn’t asking for much.”

Arena Elvira ($4.30) won for the sixth time in her last eight starts for Bill Mott.

“The one horse we thought might show a little speed did,” said assistant trainer Leana Willaford. “She was in a perfect stalking position and everything went smooth.”

Check Point ran along in third position much of the way, and although she couldn’t quicken with the winner, she finished well enough to get second by 1 1/4 lengths. Go Unbridled rallied from last to nip 9-10 favorite Tiz Miz Sue for third as Banker’s Buy faded to last.

The 16th running of the Turnback the Alarm had originally been scheduled for 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park last Saturday, but failed to fill.