12-1 shot Data Link charged fast on the far outside to narrowly win the $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. I) this afternoon over the Keeneland turf course.
Ridden to victory by Alex Solis, Data Link settled into last place early on as Get Stormy, winner of this race last year, set a moderate pace of :23.05 and :47.02. Hollinger and Pressday were racing together in second, while Turallure, the 7-5 favorite, was back in fourth. Doubles Partner was with Data Link at the back of the pack.
As the field rounded the far turn and entered the homestretch, Get Stormy went into high gear and temporarily opened up a good sized lead on the field following three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.21. Hollinger and Pressday were still in contention, but both were beginning to tire. However, Turallure was looming a serious threat on the far outside, as was Data Link.
In deep stretch, Get Stormy's lead evaporated, although he still raced gamely all the way to the finish. Turallure was the first to take over the lead, and briefly appeared to be on his way to victory, but Data Link continued to charge on the far outside and got up in the shadow of the wire to win by a neck. The final time for the one-mile distance was 1:34.31
Turallure held second by three-quarters of a length over Doubles Partner, who closed furiously along the inside after waiting for racing room at the top of the stretch. Get Stormy was another neck back in fourth, followed by Hollinger and Pressday.
The winner is owned by Stuart Janney III and trained by Shug McGaughey. The Maker's 46 Mile marked the first stakes victory for Data Link, who entered the race off of a third-place finish in the Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park on March 3rd, in which he was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Doubles Partner.
-Keelerman
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