SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) Grand Arch held off Ironicus by a neck in the Grade 2 $500,000 Fourstardave on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
After stalking King Kreesa for six furlongs, Grand Arch steadily gained ground on the stubborn pacesetter through the stretch and had enough left to turn back late-running Ironicus for his first graded stakes win in more than a year.
Riddeny by Luis Saez and trained by Brian Lynch, Grand Arch ran a mile in 1:34.65 over a firm inner turf course and paid $18.20, $7.60 and $4.90. Ironicus returned $4.30 and $3 for second, a neck ahead of defending Fourstardave champion Seek Again, who paid $9.20.
In the co-feature, Ron Winchell's Just Wicked emerged from a stretch duel with favored Tonasah for a 1 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack for 2-year-old fillies.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz for trainer Steve Asmussen, Just Wicked ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.61 over a fast main track in her third career start and first in a stakes. She paid $8.70, $3.50 and $2.60.
Tonasah returned $3.20 and $2.40, and Delicate Lady paid $3.
