Calder: Cash Rules takes Carl G. Rose start to finish

MIAMI - Cash Rules had to work a little harder than expected but in the end, the 1-5 favorite got the job done, leading throughout to post a 1 1/2-length victory over He's Spectacular in Saturday's $150,000 Carl G. Rose Classic at Calder.

Cash Rules, fresh off a similarly popular triumph in the Grade 3 Spend a Buck Handicap, set the pace under jockey Luis Saez, shook off a couple of challengers on the final turn, then was all out to withstand the runner-up while tiring some at the end. He's Spectacular saved ground to the stretch, angled out into what may have been the better going away from the rail, and rallied mildly to be second-best, finishing nine lengths clear of the late-running Decaf Again.

Kings Over and Imperial Czar faded badly after taking runs at the winner on the second turn, finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Megamove was scratched.

Cash Rules returned $2.60 after registering his fourth consecutive stakes win for owner Larry Fugate and trainer David Fawkes.

"I knew we'd probably be in front. It didn't surprise me at all, he's pretty versatile," said Fawkes. "Luis did a great job. He went a little quick early but settled him right down. He got a great pace and then opened up.

Cash Rules was the second odds-on favorite to win during the opening half of Saturday's Florida Million Day program. Brave Dave also proved a prompt choice in the $125,000 Jack Price Juvenile, although like Cash Rules he, too, had to work hard before holding safe Sr. Quisqueyano to register a one-length victory under jockey Paco Lopez.

Brave Dave, now a winner of 5 of 6 career starts, used his blazing speed to set 21.97- and 44.67-second opening fractions and had enough left to remain clear despite shortening stride at the end. Sr. Quisqueyano chased the winner throughout and was 3 1/2 lengths better than Uptown Anthem.

Brave Dave completed seven furlongs in 1:25.59 and paid $2.40.

Crumb ($12.40) and Kanturk Kid ($20.60) registered early upsets on the card. Crumb rallied to a one-length victory over Lavalette Gold to capture the $125,000 Jack O'Farrell Juvenile Fillies, while Kanturk Kid used similar tactics to prove a neck better than Hardrock Eleven in the $100,000 Arthur Appleton Juvenile Turf.

R Free Roll and Reporting Star proved disappointing choices in those races, both finishing fourth as the 1-2 and 4-5 favorites respectively in the O'Farrell and Appleton.