Hightail claims Merit Man scalp

British raider flops in opening contest

Last updated: 2nd November 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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hightail beats merit man

Hightail beats Merit Man in the Juvenile Sprint

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D Wayne Lukas' Hightail sprang a 20/1 surprise when beating 4/7 favourite Merit Man in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint at Santa Anita.

The market leader was expected to blaze a trail from the gate but British raider Ceiling Kitty led through the early stages in relatively slow fractions.

Merit Man was in front turning for home but Pat Valenzuela was hard at work and the eventual winner, who went into the race a maiden, began his charge against the far rail under Rajiv Maragh.

He was half-a-length in front inside the final furlong but the favourite rallied strongly and only a nose separated the pair at the line.

Ceiling Kitty folded tamely through the final two furlongs to finish last.

A stewards' inquiry was called into potential interference between the front two but the result was allowed to stand.

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