Bay Meadows: Private Banking pays off

Private Banking ($5.80) took advantage of a scary incident as she closed strongly to win the $75,000 Autumn Leaves Handicap at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

The victory came after Gallant Charmer clipped heels with Rockella and nearly fell as she veered outward and bumped solidly into Live Life. She stayed on her feet, and jockey Carlos Silva remained in the saddle, but she left a clear path for Private Banking to make a move into the lane from just outside North Beach.

Private Banking, ridden by Frank Alvarado, proved superior in the lane over North Beach, who was making her stakes debut, winning the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for fillies and mares by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:42.15. Round Trip Flight, part of a favored entry with Rockella, was third, three-quarters of a length behind North Beach.

The victory was the first for Private Banking since trainer Ron McAnally sent her north to win the Marina at Golden Gate Fields last year, when she rallied from last just as she did Saturday.

The victory, worth $45,000 for the 5-year-old mare own by Arnold Zetcher, brought her career earnings to $218,979 with five wins in 22 starts.