Fast Deal hangs on by a nose

Fast Deal, ridden by Terry Thompson, dueled favored Mary Delaney into defeat, then barely outlasted a desperate late rush by Lady Belsara to post a nose victory in the $47,500 Holiday Inaugural on Saturday at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Fast Deal notched her first stakes victory from 31 overall starts when finishing six furlongs in 1:09.77 over Polytrack. She returned $17.60 as the third choice in a field of 10 fillies and mares. A 4-year-old Grand Slam filly, Fast Deal is owned by her breeder, Overbrook Farm.

Lady Belsara, ridden by Bill Troilo, probably was best as the race was run. After getting away a tad slowly from the rail post, she was forced to circle rivals in the turn, then continued resolutely and barely missed catching the winner.

Mary Delaney, always prominent as the even-money choice, tired late to finish a half-length behind Lady Belsara when making her first start in eight weeks.