Wesley gets up late for Hall of Fame

Wilmott Stables' WESLEY (El Prado [Ire]) took the overland route, closing

five wide to avoid trouble while other rivals were stuck in traffic, to capture

Monday's $159,600

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) at Saratoga. Javier

Castellano guided the Mark Hennig-trained sophomore, who notched his first

stakes win when completing nine furlongs over the firm turf in 1:50 1/5. The

gray sophomore has now earned $181,630 from a 7-3-2-0 line.

Rating in last early behind opening fractions in :24 and :49 1/5, Wesley had

passed only one rival through three-quarters in 1:14 3/5 and lost ground leaving

the far turn, angling five wide to the far outside for the stretch run. He

closed with a rush to get up in the final strides, recording a half-length

decision over pacesetter Thou Swell (Aptitude), who gamely held for the place

despite being under serious pressure at the top of the lane. It was a nose back

to third-placer Deal Making (Empire Maker), who was blocked in traffic down the

stretch, and even-money favorite Adriano (A.P. Indy), who also had nowhere to

run in traffic during the final eighth of a mile, checked in another half-length

back in fourth. Field Sport (Jade Hunter), Picou (With Approval) and Willsboro

Point (Point Given) rounded out the order of finish.

Sent off the 3-1 second choice, Wesley gave back $8.70, $4.60 and $3.50 to

his supporters and keyed the $169.50 exacta with the 26-1 Thou Swell, who

yielded $16 and $7.20. Deal Making, the 5-1 fourth choice, paid $4.30 while

capping the $811 trifecta (1-6-5).

Bred in Kentucky by Domino Stud, Wesley commanded a $450,000 sales price at

the 2006 Keeneland September sale and is out of the winning Moving Picture

(Alysheba), who is also the dam of stakes winners Dynameaux (Dynaformer) and

Cloakof Vagueness (El Prado [Ire]). She hails from eight-time stakes winner Take

My Picture (Tyrant), making her a half-sibling to Grade 3 victress Holywood

Picture (Holy Bull).