Carson Hollow beats Raging Fever

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The lived up to its billing as a two-horse race on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Carson Hollow, the 1-2 favorite in the six-horse field of fillies and mares, defeated Raging Fever by 1 1/4 lengths. Bonefide Reason finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Raging Fever, the 2-1 second choice.

The $152,400 Distaff was marred when Saskya broke down at the top of the stretch and pitched jockey Shaun Bridgmohan to the ground. Saskya, who was to be retired after the Distaff and bred to Cozzene, was removed from the track by horse ambulance and later euthanized because of a broken right foreleg. Bridgmohan was not injured and won the final race.

Under Mike Luzzi, Carson Hollow quickly sprung to the lead in the seven-furlong Distaff. Raging Fever raced in second position, outside of Carson Hollow, and was never more than a length behind her down the backstretch. Running with a stiff wind at her back, Carson Hollow ran the opening quarter in 22.09 seconds and the half in 44.49. Raging Fever drew even with Carson Hollow at the top of stretch but couldn't keep up with her late.

Luzzi, who was riding Carson Hollow for the first time, said the filly's trainer, Richard Dutrow Jr., told him Carson Hollow was not speed crazy.

"The fractions were a little false with the wind," Luzzi said. "The fractions don't tell the whole story, but she was in hand. I was impressed and glad to be on her."

Carson Hollow's final time in the Grade 2 Distaff was 1:22.42 over a fast track. Originally, a time of 1:21.30 was posted, but it was said to be incorrect because an outrider had falsely triggered the teletimer.

Carson Hollow, the 120-pound highweight, returned $3. She is owned by Stronach Stables and Hemlock Hills Farm.