Decelerator by a neck in Instant Racing

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Decelerator picked up the third stakes win of her career Saturday at Oaklawn, when she held off Vertical Vision by a neck to take the $75,000 Instant Racing. It was another length back in third to Bell's Shoes.

The Instant Racing for 3-year-old fillies supported the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on the meet's closing-day card. Saturday attendance at Oaklawn was 61,531.

Decelerator ($3.40) moved to the lead into the first turn of the Instant Racing and reeled off fractions of 23.61 for the opening quarter, 47.91 for the half-mile and 1:13.14 for six furlongs while pushed along by Best Reward. In the stretch, Decelerator held off the late-runners to cover the mile on a track rated fast in 1:38.20.

Terry Thompson was aboard for Westrock Stables and trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Scott Ford, who with his father, Joe, owns the Little Rock-based Westrock, said the Grade 2, $175,000 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico could be the next stop for Decelerator. Westrock also races Tidal Pool, who is a leading candidate for the Kentucky Oaks after finishing second to Blind Luck in the Grade 2, $300,000 Fantasy at Oaklawn.

"We've had a blast with the horses, and this is home," said Ford, who is in his second year of horse ownership.

Decelerator won the Grade 3 Debutante at Churchill Downs last year at 2, then took the $75,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn in January before accounting for the Instant Racing. She is a daughter of Dehere.