One-two finish for Biancone

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Patrick Biancone sent out the one-two finishers Wednesday in the $108,600 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland, with the victorious and heavily favored Asi Siempre having a much smoother journey than when she ended her 2006 campaign in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

However, Pyramid Love, Biancone's other Doubledogdare starter, had a more adventurous trip before hanging on for second. The 4-year-old Pyramid Love attempted to bolt and prop as she led the five-horse field into the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race, forcing jockey Julien Leparoux to use all his skills to get her to refocus.

"She was a bit naughty," Biancone said later.

Despite the mishaps, Pyramid Love, the 5-2 second choice, wound up setting a very slow pace before Asi Siempre, the 2-5 favorite, roared past at the top of the stretch. With Garrett Gomez riding, Asi Siempre won by a length over her stablemate without Gomez asking her for her best.

"Patrick told me to just take my time with her," said Gomez. "Turning for home, I pushed the button, and she was all there."

Asi Siempre, a 5-year-old gray mare owned by Martin Schwartz, finished in 1:46.40 over Polytrack. She returned $2.80 for her seventh victory from 17 career starts.

Asi Siempre, by El Prado, ended her 4-year-old season by winning the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland and finishing second - disqualified to fourth - after encountering severe traffic trouble in the BC Distaff. The Grade 3 Doubledogdare was her first race since the Distaff.

Before an ontrack crowd of 8,352, Pyramid Love set fractions of 27.14 seconds, 52.11, and 1:16.91 before the others began closing in. On the far turn, it appeared she would finish last, but Pyramid Love continued resolutely to save second by three-quarters of a length over Warrior Girl. Soul Search and Dance Away Capote completed the order of finish.

Bootery and Mo Cuishle were early scratches.