Arlington: Roussel's drought ends

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Speedster Kris's Sleigh softened up the Sea O'Erin field at Arlington Park, and his stablemate, Intern, swept past, giving owner-trainer Louis Roussel his first stakes win in almost two years.

Ninth after three-quarters of the one-mile turf race, Intern rallied strongly through the stretch under jockey Eddie Martin to beat a game Minor Wisdom by a neck and touch off a spirited post-race celebration led by Roussel, who last won a stakes race in December 1999.

Intern ($13.20) ran a mile in 1:35.73 over a course labeled firm. He earned $72,780 of a $121,300 purse for Roussel.

Roussel has owned and trained Intern only since last winter, when he purchased the 5-year-old horse privately. Intern has thrived under the care of Roussel and assistant trainer Lara Van Daren and is undefeated in four races since his purchase.