Lucifer's Stone rides rail to win

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Lucifer's Stone was able to slip through a narrow opening along the hedge in the stretch, and she outfinished the favored Dynamia to win Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 by a half-length at Gulfstream Park. It was three-quarters of a length back to Honey Ryder in third.

After Lucifer's Stone hit the side of the gate while breaking from the rail post, jockey Jose Santos never had a chance to get her off the hedge at any point during the race. He rated her in ninth place while Chelsea's Pearl, Pink Champagne, and Cold Wynnter dueled through a half-mile in 50.09 seconds

Santos was able to advance Lucifer's Stone into contention around the turn. Straightening away down the lane, Santos found a narrow seam and shot Lucifer's Stone through it. Once clear, she outkicked Dynamia to get the victory. Lucifer's Stone, a 3-year-old daughter of Horse Chestnut, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.78 over a turf course labeled firm. She returned $9.40 as the second choice.

"I didn't have another choice, just to eat it or go through a half a hole," Santos said. "She was brave, she was very brave - she was touching the hedge, actually. I think if she had a clear trip, she probably would have won by five lengths."

Linda Rice, the trainer of Lucifer's Stone, had seen her filly run some "incredible" races before and was not surprised to see her do it again. "She's not a timid filly," Rice said. "She wasn't going to be intimidated by being down on the inside."

It was the second victory in as many starts at this meet for Lucifer's Stone, and her third in six lifetime starts. It was also the first stakes win for Team Solaris Stable, a partnership formed in 2003 by Saratoga Springs, N.Y., residents John Ball and Robert Karr.