Winston's Chance runs down Breakin the Fever in Leon Reed Memorial

Three-time reigning Finger Lakes Horse of the Year Breakin the Fever might not have won the $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial on Tuesday, but he certainly showed there is still life in those 6-year-old legs.

After three subpar performances to begin the year, Breakin the Fever was dismissed at 10-1 in the six-horse Reed. He put away 2-1 Bavaro on the lead at the top of the stretch, repulsed a bid from even-money favorite Saratoga Giro in midstretch, but ultimately succumbed to the late bid of his Debra Breed-trainer stablemate Winston's Chance nearing the wire of the six-furlong sprint and was beaten a half-length.

The Reed was the first stakes win for Winston's Chance, who has finished second at Finger Lakes in the last two runnings of the Genesee Valley Breeders' Stakes. He paid $7.50 as the third betting choice.

Breakin the Fever and Bavaro set early fractions of 22.05 and 44.91. Breakin the Fever was clear on the lead through five furlongs in 57.13, and Winston's Chance, who came very wide into the stretch while rallying from fourth position, stopped the timer in a rapid 1:09.71.

Saratoga Giro finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Breakin the Fever. Bavaro tired to finish last.

Winston's Chance, a 5-year-old owned by Char-Allie Stable and Kathy Haers, is by Roaring Fever, the same stallion as Breakin the Fever. Winston's Chance is now 8 for 19 in his career with earnings of $215,000.

Debra Reed, and her husband, Ron, who work together training their stable, have now won the Reed four years in a row, the first three with Breakin the Fever.

Jockey Nazario Alvarado rode his third consecutive Reed winner. He had ridden Breakin the Fever in 16 straight races before switching to Winston's Chance on Tuesday.

Oscar Gomez rode Breakin the Fever 18 times before Alvarado took over the mount in June 2016, and he regained the mount for the Reed. Gomez rode Breakin the Fever to the first of his three consecutive Reed victories in 2015.

The Reed was the final sprint stakes for males this season at Finger Lakes, so it is unclear when the two stablemates will meet again.