Turfway: Art Fair scores upset

Art Fair, reserved off the pace by Bill Troilo, edged clear from Honest Deceiver to post a 19-1 upset Saturday in the $50,000 Cincinnati Trophy Stakes at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Art Fair, a Kentucky-bred owned by Billy Hays and trained by Joe Woodard, prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths in the 6 1/2-furlong race, finishing in 1:18.07 over a fast track. She returned $40.80 to win.

The field of nine 3-year-old fillies was well-bunched for much of the way, with Art Fair, sixth early while never far back and in the clear, emerging as a major contender alongside Honest Deciever approaching the eighth pole. Art Fair, an Air Forbes Won filly claimed for $80,000 in November, gradually edged clear for the surprise victory.

Timeless Love, winner of the Gowell Stakes in her last start, finished third, another two lengths behind. Iffy, the 9-5 favorite, had a rough trip while being checked and forced wide. She finished fourth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths by the winner.

Art Fair now has won three of six lifetime starts, with the $31,000 winner's share nearly doubling her lifetime bankroll. Hays, a Louisville-based automobile dealer, and Woodard, his trainer for several years, also upset the Marfa Stakes at Turfway last September with Little Lee.

Open Story was virtually eliminated at the break when she got away very poorly. There were two scratches, Southern Dream and Lady Elder.