Donn

Invasor returns a winner in the Donn (Guy Gustafson/Horsephotos.com)

Horse of the Year INVASOR (Arg) (Candy Stripes) overcame near disaster

approaching the top of the stretch to record a tremendous victory in Saturday's

$500,000 Donn H. (G1). Rating off a quick early pace, the Kiaran McLaughlin

runner began to pick off rivals entering the far turn while rapidly advancing

along the rail, but he eventually ran out of room and was steadied sharply after

clipping heels with pacesetter Barcola (Old Trieste). Despite stumbling and

losing his momentum, Invasor regained his composure after straightening into the

stretch, rallying boldly up the inside to blow past the leaders around the

sixteenth pole under Fernando Jara. Now unbeaten in five U.S. starts, Invasor

won going away by two lengths.

"I thought he was stopped," McLaughlin said following the eventful trip. "He

showed what a superior horse he is. He finds a way to win every time. I was

worried when Fernando came up the inside, because when you're 1-5, everybody

knows who you are, and nobody wants to open the door for you.

"It was scary, but he showed why he was Horse of the Year."

The Shadwell Stable colorbearer returned $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 2-5

favorite. The late-running Hesanoldsalt (Broad Brush) got up for second by a

head at 16-1, paying $5.80 and $2.10 after edging out A. P. Arrow (A.P. Indy),

who was good for $2.10 at 15-1. The $1 exotics paid $10.10 (exacta), $43.50 (trifecta)

and $118.70 (1-6-3-4 superfecta). Chatain (Forest Wildcat), who surged to the

lead in upper stretch before weakening late, finished another half-length back

in fourth. Halos Sailing Sain (Halo's Image) came next and was followed by Tap

Dancing Mauk (Louis Quatorze), Barcola and Magna Graduate (Honor Grades). Strong

Contender (Maria's Mon) was withdrawn.