Blazing Rate denies In Summation by nose

MIAMI - In Summation's quest to sweep the open division of the Florida Stallion Stakes fell inches short on Saturday when Blazing Rate got the best of a head-bob to post a thrilling nose victory in the $400,000 .

The 1 1/16-mile In Reality was the highlight of the eight stakes races on Saturday's $1.6 million Festival of the Sun card at Calder.

In Summation entered the In Reality undefeated in five starts, with easy victories in the opening two legs of the Stallion Stakes, including a 2 3/4-length win over Blazing Rate in the seven-furlong Affirmed Stakes on Labor Day. Stretching out around two turns for the first time in the In Reality, In Summation set the pace under jockey Manoel Cruz, disposed of challenges from Cab and Lucky Chief, then came on again after being headed by Blazing Rate in deep stretch only to lose the head-bob at the wire.

Blazing Rate, well placed by jockey Cecilio Penalba, rallied four wide to join the leaders entering the stretch, forged to a short advantage inside the sixteenth pole, and narrowly lasted, getting his head down first right on the wire.

Lucky Chief faltered gradually in the final sixteenth of a mile to finish third, while Cab faded to eighth in a field of 11 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Blazing Rate, who captured the Foolish Pleasure Breeders' Cup Stakes in his previous start, paid $9.40. His final time was 1:47.45 over a good track. The winner, a son of Exchange Rate out of the Mr. Prospector mare Blazing Alarmiss, is trained by Richard Root for owner Ralph Sessa.

"To be honest," I didn't think we'd won when they crossed the wire," said Root.

"We've asked him to do a tremendous amount in a very short time, so for now we'll just wait and see how he comes out of this race before deciding what will be next."

In Summation's trainer, Frank Gomez, who had swept the Stallion Stakes on two previous occasions, was surprised at the outcome of the photo.

"I sure thought we'd won," said Gomez. "But that's the way it goes. You win some and you lose some."