BROADWAY'S ALIBI GETS STANDING OVATION IN COMELY (G3)

**Please see the attached photo of Broadway’s Alibi and jockey Javier Castellano winning the Grade 3, $250,000 Comely at Aqueduct Racetrack. Credit NYRA, Adam Coglianese**

 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

 

 

BROADWAY’S ALIBI GETS STANDING OVATION IN COMELY

 

By Jenny Kellner

 

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Even-money favorite Broadway’s Alibi ran her winning streak to four Saturday afternoon with a front-running, 3 ½-length victory in the 63^rd edition of the Grade 3, $250,000 Comely at Aqueduct Racetrack.

 

Leaving from post position 1, the 3-year-old Vindication filly went straight to the front and led through an opening quarter-mile in 23.73 seconds and a half in 47.25. Challenged by Singlet and Welcome Guest on the turn, Broadway’s Alibi was asked for more by jockey Javier Castellano as they straightened for home. She responded with a rousing late kick to draw clear through the stretch, hitting the wire in 1:36.53 for the mile.

 

“I was much the best in the field,” said Castellano. “When I asked her, she took off and did it the right way today.”

 

Welcome Guest closed from fourth to gain second, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Millionreasonswhy.

 

“Terrific effort coming off a maiden win,” said trainer Chad Brown of Welcome Guest, who in her previous start was a 5 ½-length maiden winner at Gulfstream Park. “She acted really professional in the paddock, she warmed up beautifully, and she acted good in the race. I’m anxious to get her around two turns when I can. We’ve been gradually stretching her out and it’s a nice progression to a one-turn mile. But I’d like to get her around two turns next time.”

 

Broadway’s Alibi, whose only loss was a second-place finish in her debut, began her winning streak on September 10 when she broke her maiden at Delaware Park by seven lengths, and continued it with a five-length optional claiming victory there on December 15. In her other start this year, she was a 16 ¾-length winner of the Grade 2 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park.

 

Owned by E. Paul Robsham Racing Stables, Broadway’s Alibi earned $150,000 to increase her bankroll to $339,000. She returned $4.30 for a $2 win bet in making her first start past seven furlongs.

 

“I wanted to make a gradual stretch out, so we were pleased,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher.  “[As for trying two turns], I don’t know yet. We’ll take her back to Palm Meadows tomorrow and see how she trains. She was kind enough today to step up to a mile. It’s encouraging, but we’ll just play it by ear and see.”

 

Completing the order of finish were Singlet, Nuffsaid Nuffsaid, and Bourbonstreetgirl.

 

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