Yavapai track report

Combo Royale deserved to be a 3-5 favorite in last Sunday's $35,165 Yavapai County Arizona Breeders Futurity going five furlongs. After all, he was coming off two romping victories. The race took a dramatic turn just before the start, however, when Combo Royale threw a fit in the gate and broke through the starting gate. He was deemed fit to race, but then blew the start and was never a factor, finishing sixth.

Nosleepingseligman took full advantage. Ridden by Kristina Kenney and trained by Larry Wells, Nosleepingseligman sat in midpack while longshot Versilia set the pace. Nosleepingseligman steadily advanced, swung out into the lane, and blew by Versilia to win by 1 1/2 lengths on the sloppy track.

Nosleepingseligman ran the five furlongs in 1:01.20 and paid $13.80. He has 3 wins in 6 starts, and the winner's share of $17,583 pushed his career earnings to over $30,000. He apparently likes it at Yavapai - he won his previous start here June 10 by over three lengths.

Versilia, off at 65-1, set the pace and held well to keep second, more than two lengths in front of Burn's Flyer, who rallied to be third in the field of 10.