Maize Road survives foul claim to win Rainbow Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Maize Road withstood a foul claim to win his stakes debut Sunday in the $100,000 Rainbow at Oaklawn Park, giving trainer Randy Morse his third win on the nine-race program. Maize Road won by 3 1/2 lengths over Carson’s Suspect, while it was another neck back to third to Mr Ark.

The Rainbow Stakes, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, closed out a weekend of three stakes restricted to Arkansas-breds.

Maize Road ($5.60) settled in fourth as Handsome Roy took the field through fractions of 21.81 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.48 for the half-mile. Maize Road advanced three wide around the turn, came to the leaders into the stretch, and pulled clear to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:11.04.

“I had a perfect trip,” winning rider Alex Canchari said. “I broke really relaxed and was able to stay relaxed for most of the trip, and waited until the turn to let out a bit. I sat behind the pace and when I asked him to run at the quarter pole, he did.”

Following the race, the rider of Carson’s Suspect claimed foul against the winner alleging stretch interference but it was disallowed. Maize Road earned $60,000 for the win.

Morse struck earlier on the card First Splash ($4.80) in the opener and Wuzabear ($6.40) in the third race. He trains Maize Road for Randy Patterson.

“It was a great win,” said Patterson. “Randy gets all the credit. He’s done all the work.”

Maize Road, a son of Afleet Alex bred by McDowell Farm, won for the second time in five career starts earning $119,800.

Morse’s father, trainer Charlie Morse, won the 1982 Rainbow with longshot Jef Fix.

“I think he paid like $96 that day,” Randy Morse said.