Decarchy triumphs in Tanforan

ALBANY, Calif. - Odds-on favorite Decarchy continued trainer Bobby Frankel's hot streak in stakes races with a two-length victory over Ninebanks in the $100,000 Tanforan Handicap (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.

Decarchy ($3.40) took back early off the uncontested pace of I'madrifter as jockey Russell Baze was content to stay in sixth while saving ground. When the field began to bunch up heading into the stretch, Baze shot Decarchy through a hole between entrymates Ninebanks and Sirpa, then quickly passed I'madrifter to assume the lead.

Decarchy opened up through the lane to win the 1 1/16-mile race on a good turf course in 1:44.25.

Takin It Deep, a 67-to-1 shot, finished third three-quarters of a length behind Ninebanks but was disqualified to seventh with Poker Brad moved up to third.

"I was a little worried he might be too fresh, but he relaxed nicely," Frankel's assistant Humberto Ascanio said.

"Bobby said just don't get him shut off," Baze said. "I saw that nice little hole, eased up into it, chirped to him and away he went. He couldn't be a nicer horse. He did everything I wanted. When I needed him to relax, he relaxed, and when I asked him, he moved."

Decarchy was originally scheduled to run in the Turf Paradise Breeders' Cup Handicap the previous week but was scratched because there was no speed in that race. His stablemate Auction House won that race.

Ascanio said he didn't know where Decarchy would run next. Asked if the 1 1/8-mile Golden Gate Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3) on March 16 might be an option, Ascanio said, "Frankel's) got a lot of turf horses. I don't know which one will be coming."