Charlie's Moment draws off

ALBANY, Calif. - Charlie's Moment ($8.60), the only runner in the race nominated to the Triple Crown, outdueled Lordgivemealift early and pulled away in the stretch to win the $52,750 King Glorious Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Charlie's Moment, also the leading earner coming into the race, raced up inside Lordgivemealift and had his head in front at the first call at the half-mile pole. He maintained that advantage as the two continued to duel head-and-head around the turn.

Lordgivemealift began to tire passing the quarter pole and checked behind Charlie's Moment, who spurted clear in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and widened his margin down the stretch. He defeated Mr. Monkey Jones, who had won his first two starts, by 2 1/4 lengths, winning in 1:09.73. Stakes-winning filly Ultra Blend, the 6-to-5 favorite finished a head behind Mr. Monkey Jones.

Winning jockey Danny Sorenson said he simply followed trainer Walther Solis' instructions.

"Before I got on the plane, he said that even though there was speed in the field, not to take him back if he broke well, that he's got all the stamina he needs from the longer races to be able to keep going in this race even if he is on the lead," Sorenson said.

"He was going easily even though we were head and head and when I asked him in the stretch, he responded."

Charlie's Moment earned $30,350 for his second stakes victory, increasing his career earnings to $150,800. The Indian Charlie gelding is owned by Robert Gramer, David Pycz, Michael Nicolarsen, Jerry Rasky and Solis.