Grade 1 stars Ashkal Way, Vacare return winners at Gulfstream

Godolphin Racing's ASHKAL WAY (Ire) (Ashkalani) swung five wide into the

stretch and kept a hard-trying Classic Campaign (Rahy) at bay late in taking the

$75,000 Lure S. by a measured

head at Gulfstream Park on Sunday. Making his

first start since eclipsing the Citation H. (G1) in November, the Saeed bin

Suroor trainee completed 1 1/16 miles over firm turf in 1:40 1/5 and gave

back $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10 as the prohibitive 3-5 choice under Jose Velez Jr.

Classic Campaign showed resolve when headed by the winner, but the gelding

had to settle for second best on this occasion. The 5-2 second choice, who was 1

1/2 lengths clear of his nearest foe, paid $2.40 and $2.10 while completing the

paltry $2.90 exacta ($1). Electric Light (Silver Ghost) got the jump on the top

pair turning for home but had no answer inside the final sixteenth, staying on

for third at nearly 14-1. Show was worth $2.10, and the trifecta ($1) returned a

miniscule $9.30. Early leader Giant Wrecker (Giant's Causeway) capped the $14.50

superfecta ($1) (8-7-6-4) at 9-2 and was trailed by Cheiron (Maria's Mon). Jet

Propulsion (Double Honor), Mending Fences (Forestry) and Tissy Fit (Lasting

Approval) were withdrawn.

Ashkal Way earned his seventh win from eight starts in the United States,

including his last four in succession. The five-year-old boasts wins in the

Citation, Kelso Breeders' Cup H. (G2), Bernard Baruch H. (G2) and Elkwood S.,

with a runner-up performance in the Fourstardave H. (G2). From a 17-9-3-2

lifetime mark, the gelding has amassed $798,580 in earnings.

"The immediate future for him would be the (May 28) Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Hollywood

Park," assistant trainer Rick Mettee said, "with a possible start in

Kentucky or New York before that. We are looking forward to the fact that the

Breeders' Cup is at Monmouth Park this year. The Mile (G1) there would suit him

well."

In the $75,000

Magna Distaff S., unbeaten VACARE (Lear Fan) made her first

appearance since taking the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S.

(G1) a winning one with a smart one-length tally under Edgar Prado. Always

prominent from her outtermost post, the classy four-year-old took command at the

head of the stretch and was never under duress late, stopping the teletimer in

1:40 1/5 for 1 1/16 miles over firm turf. Saddled for the initial time by

Christophe Clement, the bay filly rewarded her backers with mutuels of $3.40,

$2.60 and $2.40 at 3-5.

Aunt Henny (Hennessy) circled four wide on the turn and outfinished a trio of

challengers to garner the place, good for $3.40 and $2.80 at 4-1. The exacta

($1) was worth $5.80, and Pictavia (Ire) (Sinndar), another nose back in third,

paid $3 while finishing off the $17.10

trifecta ($1) at 4-1. Potra Clasica (Arg) (Potrillon

[Arg]) was fourth and sat on the bottom of the $34.60 superfecta ($1) (9-8-2-3) at 7-1.

Royal Wave (Royal Academy) was next and followed by Calla Lily (Pulpit),

Serena's Cat (Storm Cat) and Regina Madre (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux). Factual

Contender (Thunder Puddles) and Grecian Lover (Friendly Lover) were scratched.

Vacare ran her win streak to five in here while boosting her bankroll to

$511,000. The talented turf star also owns a win in the Pucker Up S. (G3). She

was sold to her current owner, Jon Kelly, for $2.8 million at Fasig-Tipton

Kentucky last November.