Reno Rumble gets up late for Tex's Zing win

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Reno Rumble struck a blow for the older generation Sunday at Arlington, powering past the pacesetting Fan Club's Mister in the shadow of the wire to win the $45,000 Tex's Zing Handicap.

The 7-year-old Reno Rumble is more than twice the age of the 3-year-old Fan Club's Mister, who was making his first start against older horses. Fan Club's Mister, a Grade 2 winner at Arlington this summer, lost by a nose Sunday in a head-bobbing finish.

When Minor Wisdom scratched from the 1 1/16-mile turf race, Fan Club's Mister was left as the controlling speed in the race. But under jockey Randy Meier, Fan Club's Mister had to go a fast 23 seconds for the opening quarter-mile to make a clear lead.

After slowing down the pace on the backstretch, Fan Club's Mister came into the stretch with a 1 1/2-length lead. But Reno Rumble, sixth of seven in the early going under leading rider Rene Douglas, caught him. Reno Rumble was timed in 1:42.28 over a firm course.

Trained by Chris Block and owned by Team Block, Reno Rumble paid $6.80 as the 2-1 second choice. Smilin' Slew finished third, almost two lengths behind Fan Club's Mister.