Windsor Castle has right style

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Windsor Castle got the hot pace he needed and made the most of it, rallying from near the back of the pack to a 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 at Gulfstream Park.

Windsor Castle, a 5-year-old son of Lord Carson, benefited from a well-judged ride by Eibar Coa, the meet-leading rider. Coa rated Windsor Castle near the rear of the eight-horse field for the opening six furlongs of the 1 1/16-mile race, moved into contention while swinging widest into the stretch, and easily outfinished Saint Verre and Najran.

Saint Verre trailed early, made a quick move to challenge for command into the stretch, but could not withstand the winner's final surge. Najran, who gained a short advantage after six furlongs, weakened gradually in the final furlong and finished third.

Hero's Tribute, the 2-1 favorite, was boxed in between horses for much of the trip and finished a non-threatening fourth after finally getting a clear run along the rail at midstretch.

Windsor Castle paid $11.40. He ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.33 over a fast track before a crowd of 18,423.

"He almost didn't make the race," said Windsor Castle's trainer, Frank Alexander. "He popped a quarter crack and lost 10 days of training. But he's a light horse so we thought we'd take a shot."

Alexander originally owned Windsor Castle but sold a majority interest to Dogwood Stable at the end of the horse's 2-year-old campaign.

"I thought he would be a Derby horse at 3, but he got really sick down here that winter," said Alexander. "Then he hurt his back and that was another disaster.

"The race set up good for him today, that's his style, and Eibar gave him a hell of a ride."

Alexander said he would consider the Grade 1 Donn Handicap for Windsor Castle's next start.

"It would be nice if the Donn came up the same kind of field as this one, but for $500,000 that's not likely to happen," said Alexander.

Harold Rose, who owned, bred, and trained the two-time Grade 1 winner Hal's Hope, presented the trophy to the connections of Windsor Castle.

Weaver bags impressive double

Trainer George Weaver was the early star on Saturday's card, sending out a pair of 3-year-old maiden winners, including Color Me Gone, who paid $140.60 after outfinishing 9-5 favorite Formal Attire in the seventh race. Weaver also saddled Christine's Outlaw to an 11 1/4-length victory in his career debut.

Christine's Outlaw, a son of Wild Again, overcame a slow start to easily beat eight other 3-year-olds while covering seven furlongs in 1:22.67 under John Velazquez in the opener. His time was one-tenth of a second slower than Strength Within needed to win the second division of the split maiden allowance. Strength Within overtook 4-5 favorite Draw Fire in late stretch. Defy Logic, a $1.5 million yearling owned by Padua Stable, finished third following a slow start.