Ducky Drake flies in G Malleah win

PHOENIX Ducky Drake stamped himself a major player for the Turf Paradise meet's marquee event, the $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Feb. 14, with a smart victory in Saturday's $50,000 G Malleah Handicap.

The 122-pound highweight, Ducky Drake was sent off at 7-1 in the six-furlong event but after being last early in the field of 11. He put in a furious wide rally to blow past the field and win going away under Mark Villa. Bound to Be MVP set the pace, opened up into the lane, and finished second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Twin Sparks, sent off the longest shot in the field at 107-1, chased the pace and stayed on to be third. White Spar, the 8-5 favorite, broke slowly and was wide while rallying to be fifth.

Ducky Drake, owned by Ralph and Aury Todd and trained by Bart Hone, covered the distance in a sizzling 1:07.68. The 7-yearold gelding paid $16.40 and the winner's share of $30,000 pushes his career bankroll to $364,689 from 12 wins in 28 starts.