Quality Lane, Ruffenuff get stakes wins

With the help of a perfect trip, Quality Lane upset the $50,000 Wild Rose Handicap at Northlands Park on Friday evening. She paid $21.10.

With Dane Nelson aboard, Quality Lane saved ground along the rail while a four-horse duel developed up front in the six-furlong dash for fillies and mares. Included in the duel was the favorite, Classyshadesofgrey, who opened up a one-length lead after a half-mile in 45.76 seconds.

Quality Lane started to move into serious contention on the stretch turn and, slipping through on the inside, she gained a slight advantage over Classyshadesofgrey at the top of the stretch. In a thrilling stretch run, Quality Lane prevailed by a head. Port Protection added to the excitement when she rallied from well back to get up for third, coming up a half-length short. The final time was 1:10.70.

Quality Lane is trained by Joan Petrowski. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Quality Road was making her first start since she won the John Patrick Handicap last June. A 5-year-old mare, she is owned by Victor and Sharon Kleparchuk, Eric Dohei, and Viking Stable.

Ruffenuff wins Chariot Chaser

It was closer than expected, but the heavily favored Ruffenuff prevailed and paid $2.70 for her front-running win over Saveitforarainyday in the $55,550 Chariot Chaser Handicap for 3-year-old fillies.

The speedy daughter of Dialed In broke alertly from the outside post in the five-horse race with Quincy Welch aboard and quickly opened up a clear lead. With Welch letting her roll, she blazed through a half-mile in a wicked 44.85 seconds while six lengths clear of Misty Do It. She held a five-length advantage over Saveitforarainyday at the top of the stretch, and with the taxing fractions taking their toll, she tired late but held on to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Misty Do It finished a head behind Saveitforarainyday.

The final time was 1:10.48.

“What can I say? She’s fast,” said Welch.

Ruffenuff, who has never finished behind a horse, is trained by Greg Tracy. It was Tracy’s fifth win in the last six renewals of the Chariot Chaser. The horse is owned by Curtis Landry and Red Diamond Stable.