Nayborhood Affair upsets Matchmaker

LINCOLN, Neb. - Nayborhood Affair grabbed a clear lead after a half-mile, then gamely held off Plaer's Trump to register a $15.80 upset in the $20,800 Matchmaker Stakes at Lincoln Race Course on Saturday afternoon.

Nayborhood Affair was making her stakes debut in the one-mile Matchmaker and duplicated the effort her dam, Sweet Fantastic, performed in 2001 by winning the race from gate to wire. Gracie Jane, the 6-5 favorite in a field of eight older Nebraska-bred mares, pushed Nayborhood Affair through the opening three furlongs, then settled back on the second turn. Gracie Jane tired through the final quarter mile to finish seventh.

Plaer's Trump, second choice at 5-2, ranged up outside Nayborhood Affair going to the far turn but could not get by through the final quarter-mile and settled for second, 1 1/2 lengths back. Deputy's Whirl rallied through traffic to gain third, another length back.

Nayborhood Affair was bred by her owners, the mother-daughter duo of June and Tressa O'Neill, who also bred and owned Sweet Fantastic. The win was Nayborhood Affair's third of the year and came on the heels of a 7 1/2-length allloance win here May 28. Apprentice Ashley Dill, celebrating her birthday Saturday, was aboard for the win. They covered the mile over a fast track in 1:42.

The win boosted Nayborhood Affair's mark to 4-1-0 from nine starts, with earnings of $37,227.