Baze rides Speechifying to upset

Northern California-based jockey Russell Baze made the trip east to Philadelphia Park primarily to ride 3-year-old colt Double Action for his main client, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Baze and Double Action were overtaken in deep stretch of Saturday's Gallant Bob Handicap, but Baze came back about a half-hour later to upset the $260,000 My Juliet Stakes with 10-1 outsider Speechifying.

A 4-year-old filly who as recently as June was running for a $25,000 claiming tag against nonwinners-of-two lifetime, Speechifying ($23.60) went to the lead under Baze and barely held off a late rush by 6-5 favorite Miraculous Miss to win the My Juliet by a nose.

Although she has won 6 of 14 lifetime, including 5 of 7 starts since June 11, Speechifying had finished third against Pennsylvania-breds in her only previous stakes appearance. She also came from far off the pace in nearly all her races.

But with Baze picking up the mount for trainer Phil Aristone and no real speed in the field of six fillies and mares, Speechifying was sent to the front. She led through fractions of 22.79 and 45.72 seconds, opened up a two-length lead, and just held off Miraculous Miss at the wire. S W Aly'svalentine finished a length father back in third.

The winning time for six furlongs on a fast track was 1:09.86.

* Premium Wine ($11.60), stepping up to meet open company for the first time after five straight races against New York-breds, ran down Double Action in deep stretch to win the $250,000 Gallant Bob Handicap for 3-year-olds.

Northern California shipper Double Action emerged from a pace duel with 24-1 longshot Just Don to take a clear lead coming into the stretch. Premium Wine, ridden for the first time by Harry Vega, was sixth at the quarter pole, made a four-wide move into the stretch, and closed strongly to score by a half-length, completing the six furlongs in 1:09.80.

Jacob's Run finished third. Cherokee Country, the 3-2 favorite, finished fifth, the first time in six starts locally that he has been off the board.

Trained by Tony Dutrow, Premium Wine is now 3 for 3 since he returned from nearly a two-month break in July. Overall, he has won 4 of 6 starts and $263,600.

* Superfecta ($15.80), beaten 12 lengths at 30-1 in his career debut, responded to the drop from open company to Pennsylvania-breds by romping to a five-length win over 3-5 favorite Terrifico in the $60,000 High Yield Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings.