Blame rallies to defeat elders in Fayette

Blame has now won three of his last four (EquiSport Photos)

Adele B. Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s homebred BLAME (Arch) rallied from
near the back of the pack to defeat older stakes rivals in Saturday’s $150,000
Fayette
S. (G2), the closing-day feature at Keeneland. The Al Stall Jr. sophomore
mowed down even-money favorite Parading (A.P. Indy) and Wicked Style (Macho Uno)
to score by 1 1/4 lengths, completing 1 1/8 Polytrack miles in 1:50 2/5. Blame,
the 2-1 second choice in the eight-horse field, returned $6.60, $3.40 and $2.80
while keying the $15.40 exacta, $70.20 trifecta and $240.80 superfecta
(9-3-7-1).

With Jamie Theriot aboard, Blame settled in seventh early as the mare Tizfiz
(Tiznow) established an opening quarter in :24 3/5. Wicked Style went up to
engage her, getting his head in front through a half-mile in :48 4/5 and was a
half-length clear of the distaffer while reaching six furlongs in 1:13 2/5.
Parading bided his time in a stalking third, just to the outside of Public
Speaker (Distorted Humor).

Turning for home, Wicked Style finally got the better of Tizfiz, but Parading
soon arrived on the scene and gradually subdued Wicked Style. By this point,
Blame was just gearing up down the center of the track. Although the
three-year-old lugged in slightly while delivering his challenge, Blame kept on
relentlessly to sweep past and won going away.

Parading had a half-length to spare over Wicked Style at the wire and paid
$2.60 and $2.20. Third gave back $4 at 10-1. Public Speaker checked in another
half-length back in fourth, followed by Dominican (El Corredor), Tizfiz, Jade’s
Revenge (Quiet American) and National Pride (Macho Uno). Giant Oak (Giant’s
Causeway) and Medjool (Monarchos) were scratched.