Trail This wins G Malleah Handicap

Trail This stamped himself the top sprinter on the grounds and the horse to beat in next month's Phoenix Gold Cup with an impressive victory in Saturday's $50,000 G Malleah Handicap at Turf Paradise.

Owned and trained by Robert Score, Trail This stalked the pace from his outside slot in the six-furlong event, pounced on the leaders into the lane, and drew off to win easily by three lengths under Ry Eikleberry as the even-money favorite. Ducky Drake, the second choice in the field of seven, rallied from last to finish second, well clear of Highland Games in third.

Trail This ran the six furlongs in 1:08.40 and figures the horse with the bull's-eye on his back come the meet's marquee event, the $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup, to be run Feb. 16. He won the Swift Stakes here Jan. 5.

Trail This paid $4.20 to win and the winner's share of $30,000 pushes his career bankroll to $159,120 from 8 wins in 13 starts. He's a strong 7 for 10 at the Phoenix track.