(March 20, 2004) - A parade of longshots dampened the Kentucky Derby hopes of race favorite Birdstone, who finished 10 3/4 lengths behind winner Sinister G in the 1 1/8 miles Lane's End Stakes (GII) Saturday at Turfway Park. Birdstone got a stalking rail trip with little trouble the race, but when he was clear in the homestretch he had to response to jockey Jerry Bailey's urging.

The race pace scenario was changed at the break, when the front running Hasslefree was bumped by two horses to his inside. Without the expected competition, Sinister G, under jockey Paul Toscano, found himself alone with a one length lead after a half mile in :46.52, with Stolen Time and New Element racing together in second and third. Entering the far turn, That's An Outrage made a move at the leader, getting almost on even terms. After repulsing that bid, Sinister G pulled away again in the stretch. Birdstone, who had been sitting in fifth most of the way, tried to make up ground, but had no punch while down near the rail,which had played against closers all day. However, closing wide from far back were Tricky Taboo and Little Matth Man, who was last early. At the wire, Sinister G was 1 1/2 lengths in front of Tricky Taboo, with Little Matth Man another 3/4 lengths back in third. That's An Outrage was a length back in fourth.

After Birdstone, the remaining order of finish was Hasslefree, Tap Dancing Mauk, Stolen Time, New Element, Hippocrates, and Silver Minister, the second favorite.

Of the top three finishers, only Tricky Taboo is currently nominated to the Triple Crown. The one and three finishers have a week to decide if they will nominate prior to the Saturday, March 27 late nomination deadline.

Sinister G, owned by John T Toscano III, et al and trained by John Toscanco, Jr., was making his first start outside of New York. He was coming off a nose loss to SongoftheSword in an one mile and seventy yard allowance race at Aqueduct March 5. With the winner's share of $300,000, Sinister G raised his lifetime earnings to $380,416 and a 3-2-1 record from eight starts.

With longshots taking the first three four spots, the payoffs were big all around. Sinister G paid $34.80, $14.20, and $8.00. Tricky Taboo's place was worth $33.60 and $13.00. The show for Little Matth Man was $5.80. The $2 exacta paid $1.176.00; the trifecta $14,811.60, and the superfecta $106,848.20.

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