Green Suede Shoes shines in Breeders Classic prep

Green Suede Shoes established himself as the favorite for next month's Dash for Cash on the $2 million West Virginia Breeders Classic program by pulling off a surprise in Saturday night's $50,000 It's Only Money Stakes at Charles Town.

Facing a field that included the past two winners of the Dash for Cash, along with the unbeaten 3-year-old Nay's Tap, Green Suede Shoes ($20.20) stole the spotlight by leading wire to wire under jockey Larry Reynolds to post a 2 1/2-length victory over 5-2 second choice Gabriel's Smile. It was another length to Nay's Tap, the 8-5 favorite.

Green Suede Shoes, a 5-year-old gelding claimed by trainer Tim Grams for $16,000 on June 19, covered the 4 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 50.96 seconds.

Missacity Luke, who won the 2007 Dash for Cash and finished second by a nose in last year's running, was outrun from the start and finished last of 10 while making his first start since April. Defending Dash for Cash champion Rhythmic Moves, who had been off since December, finished a distant sixth.