Decarchy pulls upset in Kilroe Mile

Decarchy rallied wide to score the most important win of his career in Saturday's $300,000 .

Decarchy prevailed by a neck over Sarafan, pulling an upset against a strong field that included Val Royal and Irish Prize, two of the nation's top turf milers.

Val Royal, who was making his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park last October, closed from ninth on the backstretch to finish fourth, a half-length behind Decarchy.

Decarchy ($18) ran a mile on turf in 1:34.04, and had an ideal trip under jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Despite breaking from post 11, Decarchy was well placed in fifth after the short run to the first turn. Malabar Gold set the pace, through fractions of 23.03 and 47.32 seconds, with Decarchy rating four lengths off the lead.

On the final turn, Desormeaux moved Decarchy closer, pulling within a length of the lead. Decarchy rallied three wide and took aim at Designed for Luck at the top of the stretch. In the final furlong, Decarchy slowly caught Designed for Luck, but was all out to hold off Sarafan, who weaved through traffic in the final sixteenth.

"I got a fortunate trip," Desormeaux said. "It set up nicely. I thought I'd go by Designed for Luck anytime I wanted. Finally, Decarchy switched leads and found another gear, I started inching toward him, and finally got there."

Sarafan finished a head in front of Designed for Luck, who was a neck in front of Val Royal. Malabar Gold finished fifth, followed by Thady Quill, Irish Prize, Night Patrol, No Slip, Spinelessjellyfish, and Stratton.

Orientate was scratched on Saturday morning.

Decarchy has won 5 of 6 starts since joining trainer Bobby Frankel last year. A 5-year-old, he has won 6 of 9 starts and $439,660 for Juddmonte Farms.