Devil House wins fifth straight

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Devil House won her fifth straight race Sunday in the $50,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park, when she led throughout in her two-turn debut for a five length win over Spartan Queen. It was another length and three-quarters back in third to Times Mistress.

Devil House ($9.80) broke sharp and moved to the lead easily in the one-mile race, as her main pace rival, Cat On a Cloud, stumbled to her nose at the start and lost her rider, Calvin Borel, who walked away from the incident.

Devil House was up by three and a half lengths through an opening quarter in 23 seconds, and remained in command of the race through a half-mile in 46.97 seconds. The field moved closer to Devil House on the final turn, but she had something more for the stretch run, and went on to cover the distance in a stakes-record time of 1:38.83.

I was able to just sit on her until past the quarter pole and when I felt the field coming to her I stepped on the gas and she gave me a big response, said Terry Thompson, who rode the winner for trainer Terry Gestes.

Gestes said next-race plans are to be determined for Devil House.

Well see how she comes back and go from there, said Gestes.

Devil House earned $30,000 for the win, which was fifth from six career starts. She has now earned $152,765. Devil House races for William Stiritz. Her win streak began last July, when she won her maiden in a five furlong race at Ellis Park.

Devil House proceeded to win an allowance, the $100,000 Bassinet at River Downs and the $50,000 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn prior to the Martha Washington. She is a daughter of Chester House.