Calder: Cash Rules wins tight finish in Darn That Alarm

Cash Rules came through as the 2-5 favorite in the $75,000 Darn That Alarm on Saturday at Calder, but it wasn't easy.

Cash Rules held off Liberty Cap by a head in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, but an argument can be made that Liberty Cap ran the better race.

Liberty Cap broke slowly under Jozbin Santana and trailed early in the six-horse field. He rallied into the stretch and then had to be steadied in the final furlong when he ran up behind Cash Rules. In the meantime, Cash Rules and Luis Saez enjoyed a perfect stalking trip behind pacesetter Sky Venture. At the wire, it was Cash Rules by a head over Liberty Cap, with Flatter This another head back in third.

Cash Rules, a 5-year-old Peace Rules gelding owned by Larry Fugate and trained by David Fawkes, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.88. He paid $2.80 to win.

* Tripski rallied to win the $54,500 Eillo Stakes, edging Uno Caliente by a half-length in the five-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds and up. Tripski covered the distance in 56.20 and paid $5.40 as the favorite.