Istan delivers after inheriting favorite's role

Istan, favored at 6-5 after the defection of Teuflesberg, rolled to his second straight stakes victory on the Kentucky circuit Saturday when he finished 3 1/2 lengths clear of Spotsgone in the Grade 3 Turfway Fall Championship at Turfway Park.

Ridden by Larry Melancon and trained by Bill Mott, Istan returned $4.40 after finishing one mile in 1:38.81 over Polytrack. Spotsgone, ridden by Earlie Fires, led most of the way while being tracked closest by Istan before finishing another three-quarters of a length before Gouldings Green, the defending champion and 2-1 second choice.

Istan, a 5-year-old horse by Gone West, now has won 8 of 18 career starts. He earned $61,380 from the $100,000 purse when wheeling back four weeks after rolling to a 4 1/2-length triumph in the Governor's Handicap. His career bankroll now stands at $289,591 for the Darpat S.L. Stables.

Teuflesberg, the morning-line favorite and the lone 3-year-old in the field, was an early scratch and will be pointed to a different prep for an unspecified Breeders' Cup event, said trainer Jamie Sanders. Barbican also was scratched, leaving a field of six.