Former $5K claimer upsets turf stakes

Spanish Mission ($9.20). claimed out of a dirt sprint for $5,000 two months ago and winless in seven previous starts on turf, upset 3-5 favorite Starvinsky by 3 1/4 lengths in Monday nights $75,000 Memorial Day Handicap at Mountaineer Racetrack.

A 6-year-old gelding, Spanish Mission has won two in a row since he was taken by trainer Scooter Davis on behalf of Scarlet Stable on March 18. Ridden by Dana Whitney, Spanish Mission covered the mile on a course rated good in 1:35.02.

In the co-featured $75,000 Decoration Day Handicap for fillies and mares, Beautiful Venue ($5.40) emerged from a three-way battle in the final furlong to prevail by a half-length. Fareena nosed out Si Si Mon Amie for second.

Ridden by Rex Stokes III for trainer Barbara Beagle, the 4-year-old Beautiful Venue is now 4 for 6 lifetime over Mountaineers grass course, including last summers $119,000 West Virginia Presidents Breeders Cup.

The winning time for the mile was 1:35.75.