Slew Motion, trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., set the early pace and weakened in the stretch to finish third, beaten four lengths, when making her most recent start in the $72,840 Broadway Handicap at Aqueduct on March 4.
     “I thought we had a shot to win it on the turn,” jockey Rudy Rodriguez said recently, “but she just got tired on me late. She ran a good race, and it was nice to see her back on her game after her recent races that weren’t as good. And, the Inner isn’t her favorite track – it kind of just gets away from underneath her when she goes. She came out of the race in good shape and we’ll be in much better shape with her back on the main track and at Belmont.”
     Slew Motion, 14.10-1 in the betting, and Rodriguez broke fifth from post position 3 and immediately made the pace (22.61, 45.37, 57.90) and led by as many as 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile. She shortened stride in the stretch once passed by eventual winner Waytotheleft and lost the place late to Great Lady K. Waytotheleft, who raced seventh early, proved best by 3 ¼ lengths and completed the six-furlong distance in 1:10.88 over a fast Inner Dirt track. She earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure; Slew Motion received a 74. Towering Escape, favored at 2.70-1, finished last.
     Waytotheleft, a 5-year-old mare by Abaginone – Waywayanda, by Belong to Me, paid $46.60 to win as the second longest price on the board.
     The Equibase chart for the race read, “Slew Motion set the pace along the inside, drew clear into the stretch and tired in the final furlong.” She earned $7,284 for her owners.
     Magnolia Jackson was scratched and reduced the number of starters to 10, New York-bred fillies and mares, ages 3 and up.
     Dutrow Jr. recently said Slew Motion will be aimed for her next start in the $65,000-added Furlough Stakes at Aqueduct on Thursday, April 19. The race will be run at six furlongs on the main track.
     LAST UPDATED: March 16, 2007