Boot Legger heads one-two finish for Gorham in Tall Stacks

Three weeks ago, Boot Legger finished 10 1/4 lengths behind stablemate Unbridled Graduate while making his stakes debut in the Howard Noonan at Mahoning Valley Race Course. Saturday, Boot Legger turned the tables on his more experienced barnmate to win the $75,000 Tall Stack Stakes for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds at Belterra Park.

Boot Legger, ridden by Emanuel Ramirez, outfought Unbridled Graduate, with Juan Delgado aboard, by a nose. Both colts are trained by Bob Gorham for Mast Thoroughbreds.

Boot Legger, part of a three-horse coupled entry that went off as the second choice, paid $8 to win. He was sixth through the first half-mile that went in 45.94 seconds and managed to win despite having to go eight wide coming into the stretch.

Alliseeisgold, sent off the even-money favorite on the basis of an 11 1/2-length win over maidens at ThistleDown 10 days earlier, checked in third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the top pair. Mound, last year’s Ohio champion 2-year-old male, finished fourth, but was disqualified for interference during the stretch run and placed last. He caused Gliding Alone, winner of the Noonan, to steady and clip heels, dumping jockey Deshawn Parker.

In winning for the third time in six starts, Boot Legger covered the distance in 1:18.43. All five of his previous starts came between February and April at Mahoning Valley.