Fleet Indian runs away with Obeah

The key point in the $100,000 Obeah Handicap at Delaware Park came on the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile race, when Jeremy Rose put American Miss into a full-out drive in an attempt to challenge front-running Fleet Indian.

While Rose flailed away with the whip, Jose Santos moved his hands approximately three centimeters aboard Fleet Indian, and the race was over. Fleet Indian instantly opened up by several lengths en route to a 7 3/4-length romp as the 1-5 favorite.

Fleet Indian, coming off a 12 1/2-length score in the Grade 3 Sixty Sails at Hawthorne (good for a Beyer Speed Figure of 112), covered the nine furlongs in 1:49.05 and paid $2.60. Friel's for Real finished second and Take a Check third in the field of seven fillies and mares. In the Gold and Sweet Symphony were scratched.

Owned by Paul Saylor and trained by Todd Pletcher, Fleet Indian broke the $500,000 mark in earnings with the victory. A 5-year-old New York-bred by Indian Charlie, Fleet Indian has won five straight races dating back to November.

* Usually a closer who comes from the rear of the field, Gasia and jockey Mario Pino took advantage of their inside post to get early position in the $160,300 Susan's Girl Breeders' Cup, and when pacesetter Peak Maria's Way gave it up on the far turn, Gasia was in the right place at the right time.

Gasia took the lead in the stretch of the 1 1/16-mile race and held off the closing charge of favored Wonder Lady Anne L for a one-length score. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to third-place Amandatude in the field of six 3-year-old fillies.

Gasia, owned by Susan Knoll and trained by Larry Jones, ran the distance in 1:43.32 and paid $11.40. It was the fifth win in nine starts, and the second stakes win, for Gasia, who is by Silver Deputy.