Successful Affair prevails by a head

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - After rolling to comfortable victories in his last three races, Successful Affair proved he could win a dogfight as well, outfinishing a game Angliana to win Saturday's $69,810 Gallant Fox Handicap by a head at Aqueduct.

It was six lengths back to Park Avenue Prince, who set the pace for the first 1 3/8 miles of the 1 5/8-mile race. Win With Beck, Malibu Moonshine, and Angelic Aura completed the order of finish.

Successful Affair ($4.50) raced a close-up third under Ramon Dominguez, before tipping out three wide for the stretch drive and wearing down a tough Angliana, who had taken a short lead from Park Avenue Prince just outside the eighth pole. Successful Affair, a son of Successful Appeal, covered the distance in 2:44.22.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for Successful Affair since trainer Gary Contessa and owner Stephen Sigler claimed him for $16,000 in October. Successful Affair also won the Coyote Lakes four weeks back.

"Of all the races he's won, today was the most rewarding because he was so dogged and so determined,'' said Sigler, whose Winning Move Stable won its New York Racing Association circuit best 43rd race of the year. "He beat a bona fide stakes-quality horse, and that horse had him beat at the eighth pole and he just dug in and said 'No you don't.' ''