Perfect Alibi Doubles Down in Spinaway

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Tracy Farmer’s Perfect Alibi doubled down on the success she enjoyed here last month with another game victory over Frank’s Rockette, this time coming in Sunday’s $350,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

Breaking from post 3 at 5/1 odds under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Perfect Alibi took back and stalked as Mundaye Call posted opening fractions of :22.65 and :45.45. Creeping closer as the field entered the far turn, Perfect Alibi cut the corner and surged through an opening along the rail under the fading pacesetter.

The 9/5 bettors’ choice Frank’s Rockette had swept around the outside of Mundaye Call and assume command at the top of the stretch, but Perfect Alibi dug deep inside of her and gradually drew even. Continuing to run strongly late, Perfect Alibi squeezed ahead inside the 1/16 pole before crossing 1 1/4 lengths ahead. The Mark Casse trainee completed the 7-furlong sprint over the fast main track in a final time of 1:23.44.

“She has a lot of heart,” said Ortiz, Jr. “She showed she had a lot of fight in her last time out as well, so I wasn’t afraid to make that tight space (along the rail) with her. I didn’t have too many options, and when I saw the space along the rail, I went for it.”

For the second straight time, Frank’s Rockette looked home free, only to have Perfect Alibi pull the upset. The same scenario occurred here on August 4 in the Adirondack Stakes (G2).

“She ran a good race as planned,” said Julien Leparoux. “I think the distance might have got me today. Other than that, she ran a good race. It looks like, so far, she might want to go a little shorter. Maybe keep her at 6, 6 1/2 (furlongs). She can do 7, but she got a little tired.”

Figure of Speech repeatedly shied away from the whip in the stretch and fell back to third, a length ahead of Miss Peppina. Completing the order of finish behind them came Shippy, Risky Mischief, and a spent Mundaye Call.

Perfect Alibi’s win was her third in four career starts, with her lone loss coming a close second in the Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6. The 2-year-old daughter of Sky Mesa, purchased for $220,000 as a yearling, has now amassed $380,988 in earnings.

“She amazes me because she’s just so laid back and doesn’t get excited about anything,” Casse said. “When the gate opens, she’s tough. I wasn’t sure if she was going to get through. I knew if she could just get her head in front, she would probably be fine. What a nice filly. This filly is just a fighter. She keeps coming. I think the farther she runs, the better she likes it.”

Perfect Alibi returned $12.40 to win, $4.70 to place, and $3.30 to show. Frank’s Rockette brought back $3.40 to place and $2.50 to show, while Figure of Speech paid $3.20 to show.