Safari Queen bewitches Keeneland rivals

Arindel Farm's SAFARI QUEEN (Arg) (Lode) was content to settle along the

inside early in Wednesday's $150,000

Bewitch S.

(G3) at Keeneland, but came out three or four wide around the turn and took

over in the stretch to post a two-length victory. With John Velazquez aboard,

the Todd Pletcher-trained five-year-old ran 1 1/2 miles in 2:28 3/5 on the firm

turf.

Safari Queen was sent off the heavy 2-5 favorite, paying $2.80, $2.10 and

$.10 while keying the $5.20 exacta. Barancella (Fr) (Acatenango) followed along

in Safari Queen's path, but could never get to the winner. She gave back $2.60

and $2.20 as the 5-2 second choice for overtaking tiring early pacesetter, Moon

Berry (Brz) (Burooj), who was another 12 lengths back in third to return $2.80

at 12-1. The trifecta was worth $16, and Maxine's Hymn (Seeking the Gold)

rounded out the 7-5-3-4 superfecta that paid $41.60.

Indy Trouble (A.P. Indy) and Mama I'm Home (Wheaton) completed the order of

finish while Zulu Queen (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) was withdrawn.

Safari Queen, a multiple Group 1 winner in her native Argentina, earned her

fourth graded win in this spot from her last five starts, including scores in

the Orchid H. (G3) last out and the La Prevoyante H. (G2) to end her 2006

season. The chestnut has compiled a 15-9-3-0 career mark and now boasts $583,489

in lifetime earnings.

Safari Queen, who is out of Group 1 winner Safari Girl (Sonus), could show up

next in the Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) on May 26 at Belmont Park, according to

Pletcher.