Five Star Rampage wins duel in Jack Betta Be Rite

The $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite Stakes at Finger Lakes on Monday turned into a two-horse race as Five Star Rampage and Pride of Saratoga battled the entire 1 1/16 miles before Five Star Rampage exerted herself late to win by a neck.

Five Star Rampage, with Joshua Navarro aboard, took the lead from Pride of Saratoga in the opening sixteenth of a mile, but Pride of Saratoga switched to the outside on the first turn and surged to a clear advantage under rider John Davila Jr. Five Star Rampage moved up to challenge on the far turn and put a head in front, but Pride of Saratoga battled back and reclaimed a short lead in upper stretch.

The two swapped leads several times in the stretch with Five Star Rampage ultimately proving best late. Five Star Rampage carried 124 pounds and conceded six pounds to the other four runners in the stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares.

Five Star Rampage, who is trained by Jimmy Jerkens and owned by Late Night Stables, paid $14.40 to win as the fourth betting choice. She was timed in 1:46.89.

The Jack Betta Be Rite is the first stakes win for Five Star Rampage, who is now 4 for 14 in her career. She has won three of her last four starts.
Daisy Cutter, the 4-5 favorite, finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Pride of Saratoga. Oscar Gomez, the rider of Daisy Cutter, lodged a claim of foul against both Five Star Rampage and Pride of Saratoga for interference in the run to the first turn, but it was not allowed by the stewards.

Five Star Rampage and Pride of Saratoga did angle inward early in the race and Gomez steadied behind Pride of Saratoga, but in a close call the leaders may have just been clear of Daisy Cutter.

Mecke's Madalyn finished fourth, 1 1/2 lengths behind Daisy Cutter. It was another 5 3/4 lengths back to Taramislew in fifth.

** Jeremiah Englehart, the trainer of Pride of Saratoga, and Davila each won four races on the Monday card at Finger Lakes.

They teamed up to win races 4, 5, and 7. Davila won race 1 for Englehart's father, Chris. Jeremiah Englehart won race 10 with Zoo Yorker, who was ridden by Navarro.