Champagne Ruby scores in Niagara Stakes

Trainer Linda Rice sent two New York-bred 3-year-old fillies to Finger Lakes for the $50,000 Niagara Stakes on Saturday, used the track’s two leading riders, and finished one-two.

Rice’s task in the six-furlong race became easier after the scratch of morning-line favorite Alwaysinstilettos. Lexi on the Cover also scratched, leaving a field of six.

Champagne Ruby, the second choice in the betting with second-leading rider Oscar Gomez up, pulled away from even-money favorite Miss Narcissist, ridden by top jock Wilfredo Rohena, to win by 2 3/4 lengths. It was 1 1/4 lengths farther back to third-place finisher Aspree.

Prior to the start, Miss Narcissist popped her gate open but remained in her starting stall. She moved up to take the early lead inside of Aspree and drew clear, turned back a challenge from several runners in upper stretch, but could not keep up with her stablemate.

Champagne Ruby was unhurried while outrun early. Gomez worked his way to the inside on the turn and then had to await room behind horses nearing the stretch. Gomez kept Champagne Ruby to the rail and took the lead inside of Miss Narcissist in upper stretch.

Champagne Ruby was timed in 1:11.94, following fractions of 22.71 seconds, 46.39, and 59.12. She paid $5.80 to win. The $2 Rice exacta paid $10.80.

The win was Champagne Ruby’s third from 11 starts and her first in seven starts since she won the Shesastonecoldfox at Finger Lakes last September. Champagne Ruby is owned by Rice’s father, Clyde Rice.