Wild and Wicked stays unbeaten

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Wild and Wicked kept his record unblemished Saturday when he assumed command just inside the furlong marker and drew off to a 3 1/4-length victory in the 69th running of the Grade 2, $300,000, at Thistledown.

It was the first stakes race and only the third career start for Wild and Wicked, a dark-hued son of Wild Again who could be a factor in the 3-year-old division later this summer. Trainer Ken McPeek said Wild and Wicked's next start would be either the Haskell at Monmouth or the Jim Dandy at Saratoga.

Ohio-bred Hackendiffy hit the side of the gate at the start but still made the lead in a few quick strides, setting the pace until midstretch with clever rating from jockey Mike Rowland. He was clearly second-best and finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Midway Road.

Wild and Wicked chased Hackendiffy into the stretch, caught him at the eighth pole, and drew off under a hand ride by Shane Sellers. He covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.90 over a fast racing strip.

Midway Road was checked hard by Robby Albarado on the first turn, was allowed to settle, then made a bid on the second turn and came up empty.

Owned by Mr. & Mrs. R. David Randal, Wild and Wicked returned $4.20 to win in the field of seven. Sellers has ridden Wild and Wicked in all three of his races, including a maiden victory at Keeneland and an allowance score at Churchill.

* Golden Tour upset the $50,000 J. William Petro Memorial by 3 3/4 lengths, paying a whopping $47.20. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.26. In the $35,000 Isi Newborn Memorial Stakes over six furlongs, Frankie R's Winner scored a front-running 1 1/2-length victory in 1:09.90. He paid $6.40 as the second choice.