Dontbotherknocking upsets in DeBartolo Memorial Breeders' Cup

The decision to go for the bigger paycheck paid off for Dontbotherknocking at Remington Park on Monday. A day earlier, the horse had been scratched out of the $50,000 Sport City at Louisiana Downs to race in Oklahoma City, where he surged to pull a mild upset in the $125,000 DeBartolo Memorial Breeders' Cup Handicap, the richest turf race at Remington.

Dontbotherknocking ($15.40) was up for a half-length win over Waupaca in the mile and an eighth turf race, and covered the distance over firm ground in 1:46.46, which was .24 of a second off the course record. Quincy Hamilton, in one of his five wins on the card, rode Dontbotherknocking for Frank Jedlicki and trainer Bernell Rhone.

"When I asked him for his run, he came on and just exploded," said Hamilton.

Early in the race, Dontbotherknocking settled off the pace set by Runaway Choice, who led the field through fractions of 23.37 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.45 for the half-mile mark and 1:10.27 for six furlongs, pushed along by Mr. Mabee.

Dontbotherknocking surged through the stretch for the win, which was his 11th from 37 career starts. The $75,000 he earned pushed his career bankroll to $312,990.

Runaway Choice held third in the DeBartolo.

* In other stakes on the card, leading rider Hamilton struck in the $40,000 Ricks Memorial, when he guided favorite Paz Ciudadana ($4.80) to a length and a half win over Queena Corrina. It was another length and three-quarters back in third to Claudia's Angel.

Steve Asmussen trains Paz Ciudadana. The win was her third in a stakes this year, and overall she has won seven of 14 starts and $170,188. Paz Ciudadana races for Nelson Bunker Hunt.

* Brick Crew ($23.60) followed in the steps of half-brother Trickey Crew and won the $40,000 Clever Trevor Stakes. Trickey Crew won the race in 1998, and Brick Crew rallied for a half-length win over favorite Out Our Way on Monday. It was another length back in third to Paltu.

Brick Crew covered the six furlongs for 2-year-olds in a sharp 1:10.23, ridden by Cliff Berry. Joe Petalino trains the colt for owner-breeder Larry Dyson.