Csaba defends Memorial Handicap title in stretch duel

MIAMI, Fla. – It wasn’t easy, but Csaba successfully defended his title in Calder’s $75,000 Memorial Handicap, withstanding a torrid battle with Decisive Moment before proving narrowly best after a thrilling, stretch-long duel.

Csaba rallied from just off the pace to register a two-length victory over Megamove with Decisive Moment finishing third in the 2013 Memorial. Csaba was a little more headstrong than usual Saturday while racing with blinkers on for the first time since his 2-year-old campaign, overtaking Decisive Moment to take the lead before a half-mile of the 1 1/16-mile Memorial. But Decisive Moment never gave up, easing back outside and edging to a short lead through mid-stretch before Csaba re-asserted himself to post a hard-fought decision.

Joshua’s Comprise rallied from far back to finish third, a half-length in front of Speak Logistics with neither threatening the top pair at any point.

The victory was the first in five tries this season for Csaba, who has won 10 of his 14 starts at Calder. A 5-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy, Csaba completed the distance in 1:47.17 over a fast track and paid $4.40 as the favorite in a field of nine older horses.