Arlington: Cool ride by Graham

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Jockey James Graham guided Exploited Storm inside a loose horse at the quarter pole of the $44,375 Paradise Creek Stakes and went on to a clear victory at Arlington Park.

Graham had put Exploited Storm on the lead from the start of the Paradise Creek, a 1 1/16-mile grass race for 3-year-olds. In the opening furlong, a horse named Sure Prize was rank, and rider Eddie Martin lost his iron, then his seat, going down before the first turn.

Sure Prize ran up toward the leaders on the backstretch, dragging Fort Prado along in his wake, as Exploited Storm went an opening half-mile in 47.88 seconds. Midway around the turn, the loose horse was a length in front, with Graham and Exploited Storm stuck down on the inside. Graham didn't hesitate, sending his mount through on the rail, then showing his whip to the loose horse through the final furlong, trying to keep him from moving in toward the rail.

Graham kept Sure Prize at bay, and Exploited Storm, trained by Bobby Barnett, had little trouble holding off the late-running Knox, who was beaten 1 3/4 lengths, finishing two in front of Gwaihir. Exploited Storm was timed in 1:42.62 and paid $18.60.