Margo's Gift fits right in

Margo's Gift had never traveled outside of Emerald Downs, but on his first visit to Monmouth Park, he must have felt right at home. The weather Friday resembled the stereotypical day in Washington state, with persistent rain and a sloppy track.

Margo's Gift thrived in the conditions. Margo's Gift, the second-longest shot in the field of 10, closed quickly along the rail in the stretch, rallying from eighth to first in the final quarter-mile, and captured the $250,000 Favorite Trick Breeders' Cup Stakes for 2-year-olds.

It was a homegrown win for both trainer Doris Harwood and jockey Ricky Frazier, who are based in Washington, the state where Margo's Gift was bred.

"The thing about him is, he's a Washington-bred, and he's been an overachiever all season," Frazier said. "He makes no mistakes. This is unreal. This was a lot to ask. It's just unbelievable."

Margo's Gift ($55.40) collared longshot Jazz Nation inside the sixteenth pole and went on to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths. Jazz Nation held on for second, a nose in front of the 2-1 favorite, Lantana Mob. Officer Frank, the 3-1 second choice, finished seventh.

"I couldn't be happier," said Harwood, who was to run Smarty Deb in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Saturday.

Of Margo's Gift, Harwood said: "He's been doing really well on an off track. The rain didn't bother me or him. The rain here was great, because it's been raining all summer at Emerald Downs."

Margo's Gift, a gelding, is by Polish Gift and is out of Burgundy Jones, by Knights Choice, a sire whose offspring are renowned for their aptitude in the mud. He was purchased as a yearling for $10,000. Margo's Gift, owned by Kenny Alhadeff - whose family ran the late, lamented Longacres racetrack - has now won 5 times in 7 starts. He won a pair of sprint stakes for Washington-breds at Emerald in August and September.