Sunland Park
Sunland Park: Skirt Alert gets up
Eugene O'Neill / Coady Photography Skirt Alert (inside) wins the Sydney Valentini Handicap over Bendalee (7) and Latenite Special (6) at Sunland Park on Saturday.
Skirt Alert produced a strong rally to capture the $100,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap at Sunland Park.
Skirt Alert, trained by O.D. Jamison, blew the first turn in the mile event for New Mexico-bred fillies and mares but then settled well. She made a strong run into the lane to wrest the lead from heavy favorite Latenite Special and had enough to prevail gamely by a head under Quyet Bui. Skirt Alert paid $7.60 as the second choice in the wagering and covered the mile in 1:38.98.
Bendalee rallied gamely to just miss. Latenite Special had the lead in midstretch but was unable to maintain her momentum and ended up third.