Comedero pulls away in Rainbow win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Comedero won his second 3-year-old stakes of the Oaklawn meet on Sunday, when he romped by 10 lengths in the $50,000 Rainbow for Arkansas-breds. Last month, the horse defeated a deep field of open rivals in the $50,000 Mountain Valley.

Both races were at six furlongs.

Comedero ($2.20) broke on top in the Rainbow and was content to race alongside McCrocklin and Satellite Trick through an opening quarter in 22.81 seconds. He began to move away from his company midway on the turn, was clear through a half-mile in 46.15, and won in hand under Cliff Berry.

"He was much the best," said Berry, who was aboard for trainer Michael Stidham.

Comedero covered the distance on a track rated fast in 1:10.77.

McCrocklin held second, finishing a half-length in front of third-place finisher Ricks F Sixteen.

Comedero has now won 5 of 6 starts and $146,700. The Rainbow was his second Arkansas-bred stakes win behind last year's $50,000 Razorback Futurity at Louisiana Downs. From there, Comedero won the $56,000 Old Hickory at Fair Grounds before his invasion of Oaklawn.

He is a son of Posse and races for Peter Redekop.

Comedero created a $70,964 minus show pool and a $555 minus place pool.

Last-to-first win for 'Chance'

Chance and a Half ($10) rallied from last to first to win the $50,000 Nodouble Breeders' by head over favorite Humble Smarty. It was another neck back in third to the winner of last year's running, Ain't He a Pistol.

Chance and a Half let the pace go and was last entering the stretch run of the six-furlong race for older statebreds. He found room along the inside and was just up to cover the distance in 1:11.45.

Jockey Calvin Borel rode the winner for Chuck and Ella Lou Hagaman and trainer Ron Moquett.

The Nodouble win was the third victory of the Oaklawn meet for Chance and a Half, who has made four starts at the track since January. His other wins came in a pair of $7,500 starter allowances against open-company rivals in January and February.