Lady Alexander goes wire to wire in Manatee

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Moving clear inside at the break, Lady Alexander made every pole a winning one en route to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $65,000 Manatee Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Under deft handling by jockey Ricardo Feliciano, Lady Alexander ($15) bounced right the front after the start of the seven-furlong Manatee while being chased through fractions of 22.85 and 45.84 seconds by a host of rivals. Feliciano opened the throttle a notch leaving the turn and Lady Alexander responded by opening a 3 1/2-length advantage after six furlongs in 1:10.68, then had more than enough left late to maintain a clear lead and post her fifth career win.

A 4-year-old filly trained by Bruce Alexander, Lady Alexander covered the distance over a track labeled wet fast in 1:23.80.

Satans Quick Chick outfinished Choragus by a half-length for second.