Honeymoon Cruise rallies in final furlong of Casey Memorial

Honeymoon Cruise, making her second career start after winning her debut by a neck 3 1/2 weeks ago, made up a big deficit in the final furlong to win Saturday night’s $51,200 Eleanor Casey Memorial Stakes for West Virginia-bred 2-year-old fillies at Charles Town.

Unaquoi, the only three-time winner in the field, looked like a winner when she went to the front and held a 5 1/2-length advantage after the first six furlongs went in 1:14.04. But Honeymoon Cruise ($13.60), who saved ground throughout under Arnaldo Bocachica, finished strongly and got up by a half-length. She completed the seven furlongs in 1:28.71.

Unaquoi, the 3-1 second choice in a field of 10, was four lengths clear of 9-5 favorite Scottish Denis, the winner of the Triple Crown Nutrition on the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic program in early October. Scottish Denis broke awkwardly from post 9 and exchanged bumps with Lies and Scandals. Despite the poor start, Scottish Denis raced into contention, moving up to second, a head in front of Honeymoon Cruise, at the eighth pole before fading late.

Lady Bearoness, unbeaten in two starts, also got into trouble when she reared at start. She finished last at 9-2.

Honeymoon Cruise, a daughter of Archarcharch, is trained by Jeff Runco for owner Debbie Rhodes. She has now earned $44,400 in her two victories.