Hoovergetthekeys edges Takin It Deep in Alamedan

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Hoovergetthekeys ($45), who has battled problems with quarter cracks and bleeding, made a strong closing move and held off faster-finishing Takin It Deep by a nose to win the $50,110 Alamedan Handicap at the Alameda County Fair on Sunday.

Hoovergetthekeys, who won the Golden Gate Derby and El Camino Real Derby in 2001, had been winless since an $80,000 optional claimer on the turf last Sept. 10 at Bay Meadows. The victory, his fifth in 20 starts, was worth $27,610 to lift his career earnings to 352,120.

"I made my way on the inside and had to stop a little bit, but when I got out, he made a strong move," winning jockey Adalberto Lopez said. "I could feel somebody coming and switched sticks and lost my left rein, but he kept going."