Winning Note Graduates at Fair Grounds

Gary and Mary West’s Winning Note responded to the determined urgings of jockey James Graham and came again late to capture Thursday’s $45,000 feature for 3-year-old maidens by a neck.

Trained by Wayne Catalano, the Grand Slam colt was away alertly, took command in the run down the backstretch, lost the lead at the furlong grounds but continued willingly to regain the advantage in the late stage of the mile and 70-yard test.

Winning Note, reaching the winner’s circle for the first time from two lifetime starts, set early fractions of 23.84 and 47.96 before accomplishing the final time in 1:45.36 and increased his career earnings to $34,800.  He returned mutuels of $7.80, $4 and $3.

Terry Hookstra and G. W. and Nanci Oliver’s Kiptastic, who pressed the early pace of the winner, gained the advantage briefly at the eighth pole but could not sustain the bid.  As the runner-up, he returned $4 and $3.40.

Pocket Aces Racing’s Seeking an Empire got up late to finish third, a length and a quarter farther back and paid $4.40 to show.