Turfway: Four stakes decided on Jeff Ruby Steaks undercard

Willy D's provided the biggest upset on a four-stakes undercard Saturday at Turfway Park, rallying from off the pace under John Velazquez to score n the Grade 3, $300,000 Kentucky Cup Classic on Jeff Ruby Steaks day.

Willy D's stalked from the two to three path as Tickled Quist established fractions of 22.87 and 47.51 seconds through the first half-mile in the 1 1/8-mile race for older horses. Velazquez moved the 5-year-old gelding between rivals into the backstretch to press outside of the leader, and the pair vied with Wadsworth three deep around the far turn through three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.76.

Willy D's grabbed the lead at the five-sixteenths pole, inched clear in upper stretch and held well through the final furlong as Mercante sustained a challenge from the three path. The Michael Maker trainee – owned by Paradise Farms Corp. – finished 3/4 of a length ahead of Mercante under a final time of 1:50.88 on the fast synthetic track.

Mercante, the 3-1 second choice ridden by Walter Rodriguez for trainer Brian Knippenberg, ran on gamely but could not reel in the winner. Honor Marie rallied along the rail to finish third, 3 1/4 lengths back after breaking a step slow and lacking early speed.

Betting favorite Wadsworth, the 2-1 choice trained by Brad Cox, pressed three wide on the second turn but gave way in upper stretch and finished fifth.

Willy D's paid $17.94, $7.50 and $5.06. Mercante returned $5.52 and $3.72. Honor Marie paid $3.28 to show. Naptown finished fourth.

Outfielder romps in Animal Kingdom

Odds-on favorite Outfielder made it look effortless, drawing off to a 4 1/2-length romp in the $250,000 Animal Kingdom Stakes for 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs.

The Wesley Ward-trained colt, sent off at 1-2, showed the way in the two path under Velazquez through blistering fractions of 21.46 and 44.59 seconds. Hometown Bound pressed from the three path early but failed to sustain that effort and faded around the turn.

Outfielder held sway through the stretch and drew off when set down past the eighth pole. He crossed in 1:10.65 on the fast synthetic and paid $3.04, $2.34 and $2.12 in the short field of five after three rivals were scratched.

Small Town, trained by Michael McCarthy, chased along the inside before moving to the four path into the turn but proved no match in the final furlong and finished second. Gnome, at 10-1 for trainer Kelsey Danner, trailed throughout and moved up in upper stretch to complete the trifecta.

Outfielder made his first start since an Oct. 31 race at Del Mar for owners Amo Racing USA, Ward and Jayson Werth.

Bull by the Horns rallies from last in Rushaway

Bull by the Horns uncorked a sweeping six-wide rally from last to win the $250,000 Rushaway Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles in what proved to be the most dramatic finish on the card.

Velazquez sat patiently aboard the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee as 8-5 favorite J J Grey and East Village dueled through early fractions of 23.57 and 48.02 seconds. Rhythm Lady bid outside of the top pair around the far turn through three-quarters of a mile in 1:12.94 and briefly led in upper stretch.

Bull by the Horns launched his bid in the six path entering the lane and engaged Steel Imperium – who rallied in the five path – through a fierce final furlong. The Essential Quality colt held by a half-length at the wire, stopping the clock in 1:45.76.

Steel Imperium's rider, Vincent Cheminaud, claimed foul against the winner for interference in the stretch, but the stewards disallowed the objection.

Bull by the Horns paid $10.82, $5.62 and $3.50 for owners Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado. Steel Imperium returned $6.36 and $4.08. Trendsetter edged the show spot at the sixteenth pole and held for third, paying $4.48.

J J Grey, the Kenny McPeek-trained favorite, set the pace in the two path and faded to finish sixth.

Stylish Sue upsets Literate in Latonia

Stylish Sue upended 3-5 favorite Literate with a front-running, 4 1/4-length score in the listed, $250,000 Latonia Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

Irad Ortiz Jr. guided the 9-1 shot to the lead from the two path through moderate fractions of 24.89 and 49.18 seconds. Devassa pressed from the three path down the backstretch but faded at the five-sixteenths pole, and Five a Side ranged up in the four path to bid outside of the leader on the turn.

Stylish Sue responded when set down in upper stretch and drew clear under a mild drive to complete the distance in 1:44.10 on the fast synthetic for trainer Joe Sharp and owner Highlander Training Center.

Five a Side, at 4-1 under Gerardo Corrales for trainer John Servis, got repelled in upper stretch and proved second best, 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Warming, who battled Literate through the final furlong for the show spot and prevailed by a head. Literate, the heavy favorite trained by Brad Cox, tracked along the inside but never fired and finished fourth, 6 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Stylish Sue paid $19.24, $8.20 and $8.50.