Niagara Causeway endures Tokyo City trip

La Bahia Stud's NIAGARA CAUSEWAY (Giant's Causeway) spurted to a commanding

edge approaching the final turn and gamely held off a pair of challengers late

to eclipse the $108,200

Tokyo City H. (G3)

over the Cushion Track at Santa Anita

on Saturday. The Leonard Powell trainee broke alertly and was kept wide while

tracking pacesetter Plug Me In (Hold for Gold) for the opening half-mile. Under

the guidance of Jon Court, the five-year-old began to assert himself and took

over readily nearing the stretch, holding a three-length margin at the top of

the lane. Church Service (Pulpit) and Big Booster (Accelerator) both found their

best stride in the lane and it took a photo to determine the winner, with the

final margin being a nose on the line. The 9-1 shot paid $20.80, $10.20 and $6

after completing 1 1/2 miles in 2:29.

Church Service was last for the opening mile but closed with excellent energy

to register his second consecutive graded placing. The 5-1 shot paid $6 and

$3.80 while completing the $59.80 exacta ($1). Big Booster moved into contention

at the top of the lane but could not wear down the top pair, missing second by

three-parts of a length. Show paid $4 and the $1 trifecta (5-4-6) was good for $391.60. Zappa

(Afternoon Deelites) was two lengths back as the 8-5 favorite and was trailed by

Rathor (Ire) (Machiavellian), Rocket Legs (Dynaformer) and Plug Me In.

Niagara Causeway earned his first stakes win, following a runner-up finish in

the Cinema Breeders' Cup H. (G3). The five-year-old upped his mark to 20-4-4-1

with $255,567 in earnings. The dark bay was bred in the Bluegrass State by

Bronwyn et al's and brought $243,393 at the 2004 Tattersalls sale. He is the

first foal out of Group 3 queen and highweight Theoretically (Theatrical [Ire]),

who herself is a half-sister to Group 1 star Cudas (Seattle Song) and hails from

the same family as Grade 1-winning sire Atticus (Nureyev) and Group 1 winner

Dubai Surprise (King's Best).