Sharla Rae prevails in roughly run Pike Place Dancer

Sharla Rae, the lone stakes winner in the field, proved best in the lane, capturing the $75,420 Pike Place Dancer Stakes by a neck at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

The one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies was switched from turf to the main track after rains Friday night and Saturday morning.

The roughly run race was competitive from the start with Blazing Spice holding a slim advantage over favored Sea Mona, who was stuck on the rail.

Sharla Rae ($12) assumed a good stalking position beside Lindisfarne just behind the leaders and maintained that position until the field turned for home and a virtual free-for-all broke out.

Sea Mona, who seemed to be trying to get out nearing the quarter pole, took up sharply and was eliminated from contention.

Lindisfarne, favored through much of the wagering, was bumped by Indian Rocket at the break and then was crowded into the lane by Wedding Blush, who rallied on the second turn while fanned wide before coming in as she made a strong move into the lane and took the lead in the stretch.

Sharla Rae bumped with Lindisfarne but bounced off her rival and then split Wedding Blush and the fading Blazing Spice in the lane. She outfinished Wedding Blush, who was making her first start around two turns. Recent maiden winner Bennett Jean finished steadily to claim third another 11/4 lengths back.

Winning jockey Kyle Frey was he was told to keep Sharla Rae off the pace.

“I had a lot of horse the whole way,” he said. “At the quarter pole, it was pretty tight. Luckily, I was able slip through. Once she got her head in front, she was all game for it. It was a good run by the filly.”

Sharla Rae, owned by W.C. Racing and trained by Leandro Mora for Doug O’Neill, earned $45,000 for her third victory in five starts. A $22,000 September Keeneland yearling purchase, she has now earned $134,945.