Finger Lakes: Former claimer Karma Police pays dividends in Niagara

Karma Police, claimed for $14,000 four months ago, became a stakes winner when she shipped to Finger Lakes to score in Wednesday’s $50,000 Niagara Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Ridden for the first time by local jockey Pedro Rodriguez, Karma Police ($6.20) made a three-wide move to go after early pacesetter Saichi Sweepin, the 4-5 favorite, and got within a head of the leader after a half-mile in 45.09 seconds. Karma Police took command in midstretch and drew clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths while covering six furlongs in 1:11.76.

Capella Dancer overcame a slow start to rally for second, 4 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Saichi Sweepin.

A daughter of Consolidator trained by Joe Signore Jr. for Glenridge Stable, Karma Police has won 4 of 11 starts overall, including two in a row for her new connections. She was taken for $14,000 out of a winning effort at Aqueduct on March 1.