Paradise Pete gets win on DQ

Paradise Pete ($9.40) was elevated to victory in his stakes debut when Ittakestwobaby was disqualified and placed second in the $15,270 Journal Star Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday afternoon at the Lincoln State Fair.

Ittakestwobaby was moving to the front into the first turn of the six-furlong race when he and rider Damon Leeds came in and forced Paradise Pete to take up sharply. Paradise Pete and rider Yuri Yaranga remained in reach of Ittakestwobaby but could not close the gap on the 3-5 favorite, finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind in the field of six. After an inquiry and a claim of foul by Yaranga, Ittakestwobaby was disqualfieid.

Trained by Kim Veerhusen for owners Laneluck Farms and Veerhusen Stables, Paradise Pete was making his first start of the year after being purchased privately last fall in California. He is a California-bred son of Rio Verde.