Big Chief gets Friday Feature in heated battle.

The Friday optional allowance feature provided a hotly contested battle for the lead down the backstretch.  Hot off the Bench, Pure Oxygen, and Raggidy Rowe went three abreast through most of the backstretch. 

Big Chief, trained by Marty Drexler, sat in behind the leaders down the backstretch and made his move up the rail in the turn.  Going into the turn, Hot of the Bench showed a burst of speed opening up a least three lengths.  But Big Chief had him in his sights coming into the stretch. 

Doing battle in the stretch with Hot off the Bench, trained by Clay Brinson, Big Chief was able to get his head in front in the final strides.

Gold Lad, trained by Jim Fergason, sat on the flank of the leader down the back and went four wide on the turn.  Flying down the stretch, Gold Lad just did not have enough real estate to catch the winner.  Hot off the Bench hung on for third.

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