Salvator Mile

Unraced since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Melnyk

Racing Stables' FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor) made a triumphant return in

Saturday's $159,000

Salvator Mile (G3), splashing his way over the sloppy

track at Monmouth Park to a 3 1/4-length score. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the

Grade 1-winning four-year-old was content to stalk the pace before asserting

himself on the far turn and eventually powered clear in midstretch under John

Velazquez. The chestnut colt improved his mark to 11-5-3-1, with more than $2.5

million in earnings, after finishing the mile in 1:35 4/5.

"It was exactly what we were looking for, with the exception of the track

condition," Pletcher said. "We knew he handled an off track before...so I

figured he'd handle the track."

Favored at 1-2, Flower Alley returned $3, $2.40 and $2.10 and keyed the

$10.60 exacta with Park Avenue Ball (Citidancer), who got up late for second at

5-1 and gave back $3.60 and $2.10. Network (Pulpit) closed from even farther

back but fell a head short of the runner-up, paying $2.10 for the show at 8-1.

The 5-1-2 trifecta was worth $31.80. Gold and Roses (Gold Token), who led the

way through fractions in :23, :46 2/5 and 1:10 4/5, proved game when challenged

by the winner but could not match strides for long with his classy rival. He

wound up fourth after being caught by Park Avenue Ball and Network in the shadow

of the wire. Cherokee's Boy (Citidancer) brought up the rear in the five-horse

field.

Hero of the Travers S. (G1), Jim Dandy S. (G2) and Lane's End S. (G2), Flower

Alley also recorded second-place finishes in the Arkansas Derby (G2) and Dwyer

S. (G2) last year, and he wound up being named an Eclipse Award finalist. In the Breeders' Cup Classic, he offered a

bold rally in upper stretch before settling for second, only a length back of

Horse of the Year Saint Liam.

Bred in Kentucky by George Brunacini and Bona Terra Farms, Flower Alley

reaped a winning bid of $165,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale

after previously selling for $50,000 as a weanling. He hails from the winning

Lycius mare Princess Olivia and has an unraced three-year-old half-brother named

Ludington (Black Minnaloushe).

Pletcher said he would point Flower Alley to the Whitney H. (G1) at Saratoga

on August 5.