Raging Fever keeps Hennig-Evans hot

JAMAICA, N.Y. - Aqueduct's winner's circle was a familiar spot for owner Edward P. Evans and trainer Mark Hennig during the holiday weekend. After winning Friday's Next Move Handicap with With Ability, Evans and Hennig won Saturday's $142,300 with Raging Fever.

Raging Fever, the 6-5 favorite and 120-pound highweight of the Grade 2 Distaff, was a 3 3/4-length winner over Prized Stamp. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to La Galerie in third. Cat Cay, the second choice, finished fourth. Shiny Band and Two Item Limit completed the order of finish.

Raging Fever, with John Velazquez in the saddle, showed the way through a first quarter in 23.27 seconds in the seven-furlong Distaff, with La Galerie a half-length behind in second. After a half-mile in 45.89, Raging Fever shrugged off a challenge from La Galerie and drew off in the stretch.

Raging Fever ($4.50) covered the distance in 1:21.78 over a fast track.

Hennig said he was pleased after he saw the first quarter-mile time posted.

"She was very relaxed and after the first quarter, we were pretty tickled," Hennig said. "Just knowing that Cat Cay was only five lengths out of it, you knew they were going pretty slow. Our filly really kicked in the stretch."

In Raging Fever's last start, the Shirley Jones at Gulfstream, the 4-year-old was caught up in a suicidal speed duel and lost the race by a neck to the late-closing Cat Cay.

"We didn't have the kind of pace pressure that she's used to, and she was so relaxed today," Velazquez said. "I knew I was on a ton horse turning for home."

A winner again

Arromanches, whose 10-race win streak was snapped in his last start, was back in the winner's circle on Saturday. The amazing 9-year-old, with the nearly white coat, won the fourth race, a $50,000 claimer, by a nose over the fast-closing Western Beau.

Chuck Lopez rode Arromanches, the 9-5 favorite.

Arromanches was reunited with trainer Scott Lake for Saturday's win. Lake lost Arromanches through the claim box for $50,000 to trainer Arthur Wendel and owner Bruce Golden in a Feb. 2 race, which Arromanches won for his 10th consecutive victory. Wendel had a streak of his own going when he ran Arromanches for $65,000 on Feb. 28. Wendel entered the race 0 for 97, and Arromanches made it 0 for 98 by finishing fifth. Shortly after the race, Golden transferred the horse to Lake's barn.

There were no claims made for Arromanches.