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Strike a Deal much the best in Red Smith Jayeff B Stables' STRIKE A DEAL (Smart Strike), better known for heartbreaking defeats in numerous graded events the past two years, turned on the afterburners in Saturday's $150,000 Red Smith H. (G2) at soggy Aqueduct. Re-rallying after losing ground around the final turn, the four-year-old swooped to the lead in the stretch under Chuck Lopez, then extended his margin to seven lengths at the wire to complete 1 3/8 miles on a yielding turf in 2:23 1/5. The 4-1 fourth choice, Strike a Deal returned $10.60, $4.70 and $3.50. As expected, Presious Passion (Royal Anthem) assumed the early lead, cutting out soft fractions of :26 2/5 and :52 4/5. After being briefly headed by Wheels Up At Noon (Outflanker) after six furlongs in 1:19, Presious Passion resumed control and clipped off a mile in 1:43 3/5. Finding himself in a nice outside stalking position through the opening seven furlongs, Strike a Deal dropped back slightly approaching the far turn for the second time while Presious Passion initially repelled an inside bid by 5-2 choice Lauro (Ger) (Monsun). Turning for home, Presious Passion was again challenged by Lauro, as well as Banrock (Go for Gin), but neither moved as strongly as Strike a Deal who, after being fanned five wide, charged down the middle of the course to prove much the best. Lauro held second by three parts of a length, paying $4.10 and $2.90 while completing the $34 exacta. Banrock, at 5-1, was 1 1/4 lengths clear in third, returning $3.90 and capping the $157.50 trifecta (7-5-3). Always First (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) was next under the line and was followed by Hard Top (Ire) (Darshaan), Presious Passion and Wheels Up At Noon. Summer Patriot (Unbridled's Song) and Interpatation (Langfuhr) were scratched. Trained by Alan Goldberg, Strike a Deal captured the Laurel Futurity at two and the Straight Deal S. at Belmont Park at three, but routinely came up short in more prestigious events. Among his losses by a length or less were the Colonial Turf Cup (G3), Virginia Derby (G2), United Nations S. (G1) and Nijinsky S. (Can-G2). He entered the Red Smith off a runner-up finish in the Knickerbocker H. (G3) at Belmont Park, and the Red Smith marked his first win of the season. His record now stands at 16-4-7-1 with earnings of $932,341. Bred in Kentucky by Bee Zee LLC, Strike a Deal was a $350,000 yearling at the 2005 Keeneland September sale. Strike a Deal is out of the multiple stakes-winning Shag (Dixieland Band), who has also produced a yearling colt by City Zip. Strike a Deal is a descendent of Alcibiades (Supremus), the multiple champion filly who produced the champion colt Menow (*Pharamond II), the sire of the legendary Tom Fool, dual classic winner and 1949 Horse of the Year Capot, and juvenile filly champion Askmenow.
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