Nonsuch Bay repeats in Banshee Breeze

HALLANDALE BEACH, FLA. - Nonsuch Bay turned in a carbon copy of her winning performance in the 2003 Banshee Breeze Handicap to easily defend her title Sunday at Gulfstream Park.

Nonsuch Bay rallied from 10 lengths back under jockey Eibar Coa to register a 4 1/4-length victory as the 9-10 favorite in last year's Banshee Breeze. She came from a similar distance off the pace to collar the leaders with a five-wide rally into the stretch then drew away to a 3 1/2-length decision over D'Wildcat Speed with Coa again in the saddle for trainer Frank Alexander. This time she went postward the even money choice and paid $4.20.

Nonsuch Bay had been winless in eight starts since winning the 2003 Banshee Breeze although she was graded stakes placed on five occasions over the past year. Alexander had resisted the temptation to run Nonsuch Breeze against a small field in the Grade 2 Rampart to await the Banshee Breeze.

"Passing the last one was the right thing to do," said Alexander who trains the 5-year-old Nonsuch Bay for the Thorn Stable. "She just can't beat horses like Sightseek and Wild Spirit. She's not that kind of filly. But she can be tough when in the right spot. She's a real nice mare and is going to make an awfully good broodmare some day."

Nonsuch Bay's victory capped off a big weekend for Coa who also won Saturday's Illinois Derby with Pollard's Vision.

D'Wildcat Speed, who had her 14 race win streak snapped when making her U.S. debut in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes, attempted to rally with the winner entering the stretch but proved no match in the final furlong. She did finish two lengths clear of the pace dueling Pampered Princess who succumbed grudgingly in the final furlong to be third.

Dakota Light, Secret Request, Devotion Unbridled, Honeymooner, Redoubled Miss, Ogala Sue, Actcellent and Rebridled Miss rounded out the complete order of finish.