Decelerator gives Lukas third win of day

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.- The rail is the shortest way home and Decelerator took advantage of her inside post on Saturday, when she drove to a one-length win over Eve Giselle in the at Oaklawn. It was another length and a quarter back in third to Bell's Shoes.

The Martha Washington, a one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, was the first of two local preps for the Grade 2, $300,000 Fantasy.

Decelerator ($6.40) broke well from the rail and held her position, settling in fourth behind Cosmo Girl as that one showed the way through fractions of 22.72 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.46 for the half-mile. Decelerator slipped through to draw even with the leaders midway on the final turn, was in front entering the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:38.69.

"I took back and hoped to get through," said winning rider Terry Thompson. "It all worked out."

D. Wayne Lukas trains Decelerator for Westrock Stables. It was the second career stakes win for the filly, who last June won the Grade 3 Debutante at Churchill Downs. Decelerator came into the Martha Washington off a runner-up finish to Shotgun Gulch in the $50,000 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn.

Decelerator is a daughter of Dehere. She was one of three winners on the card for Lukas, who also took the second with Ninth Client ($6.60) and the 10th with Wow Wow Wow ($7.80).

* Saturday's Attendance was 20,178.