Calder: Raponera repeats

MIAMI - Raponera proved her upset victory in the Powder Break Handicap earlier this month was no fluke when she won Thursday's $50,000 Georgia Peaches Handicap over Light Dancer.

Raponera's win at 16-1 in the Powder Break was her first victory of the year. She was dismissed at 9-1 for the Georgia Peaches, but under Horacio Karamanos ran down the leader in early stretch and withstood the final bid of Light Dancer. Light Dancer, one of two 3-year-olds in the race, was returning on just five days' rest after having finished seventh in last Saturday's Lenta Stakes.

Cousin Gigi, the 8-5 favorite, attempted to rally in company with Raponera into the stretch but tired and finished fifth.

Raponera, who is trained by Larry Bates for owner-breeder Cecilia Dixon, returned $20 after covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.82 over a firm course.

The Georgia Peaches was for fillies and mares who are progeny of stallions donated to the Georgia Breeders' annual stallion series auction.