Russell Road romps by a dozen lengths

The 2-year-old colt Russell Road ($7.20) solidified his status as the favorite for the $125,000 Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Stakes on Oct. 18 by rolling to a 12-length win in Saturday night's $51,300 Dr. Ernest Benner Stakes at Charles Town.

In his two starts since trainer James Casey put her on Lasix, Russell Road has won both times by a combined margin of more than 24 lengths. He covered 6 ½ furlongs on a sloppy sealed track in 1:18.46 under jockey Luis Perez.

Flash Traffic had to settle for second as the 6-5 favorite.

In the other prep for next month's West Virginia Breeders Classic program, Leva Mae ($22.40) used her speed from the rail to score by two lengths over 34-1 shot Dixie Dina in the $51,450 Golden Gull Chris Brown Memorial for 2-year-old fillies. Ridden by Gustavo Larrosa for trainer Susan Cooney, Leva Mae came into the stakes winless in two starts against maidens. She ran 4 ½ furlongs in 54.05 seconds.

Fluvanna, the stronger part of an Ollie Figgins-trained entry, finished ninth of 10 as the 1-2 favorite. Stablemate B B's Bop was awarded fourth on the disqualification of third-place finisher Jean'sroyal Stoney for interference in the stretch.

Also on the card, Love's Strong Hart ($8.40) opened up a five-length lead, then held off the late rush of 6-5 favorite Lacewell to win a $50,000 overnight handicap going 4 ½ furlongs by 1 ¼ lengths in 50.50 seconds.