Clear Sailing rallies from last in Pelleteri

NEW ORLEANS - Jockey Shane Sellers piloted Clear Sailing from last to first to win the $60,000 Pelleteri Stakes by a neck on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

On a day when speed seemed to be holding, Sellers took Clear Sailing far back, while longshot Fighter Wing set slow fractions of 24.45 and 48.84 seconds.

"I made up my mind I was going to be a hero or a zero," said Sellers. "I took her back and let her make one run. She was picking off horses left and right."

As Clear Sailing began her stretch run, heavily favored War Echo made her move, but Clear Sailing was able to overtake Fighter Wing, while War Echo's move was only enough for third place, three-quarters of a length behind Fighter Wing.

It was the third win in a row for Clear Sailing, and took her record to three wins and a third from four lifetime starts. She covered the mile and a sixteenth in 1:46.06 and paid $10 to win, earning $36,000 for her owners Coteau Grove Farms.

"I was always confident in her abilities," said trainer Glenn Delahoussaye. "" think this is as talented of a filly as I've seen in a while."

When asked if Clear Sailing was ready to run against Rachel Alexandra in the March 13 New Orleans Ladies, Delahoussaye was not shy.

"I can't worry about who else will be in there," said Delahoussaye. "If the timing is right and my horse is healthy and we can add to our horse's resume, we won't hesitate."