Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s Blame rallied from next to last to overtake even-money favorite Parading and win the 51st running of the $150,000 Fayette (G2) by 1 ¼ lengths as Keeneland wrapped up its 17-day fall race meeting.
Ridden by Jamie Theriot, Blame was content to lag at the rear of the pack as longshot Tizfiz cut out fractions of :24.68, :48.86 and 1:13.40 with Wicked Style and Parading in closest pursuit.
The top three remained unchanged entering the stretch, but Theriot had Blame, the only 3-year-old in the field, on the move five-wide. Tizfiz was the first to back out of the duel at midstretch as Parading stuck his head in front only to have Blame rocket past in the final 100 yards.
“I had a perfect trip,” Theriot said. “He was nice early, kind and relaxed. He’s a push-button horse. Every time I call on him, he’s there for me.”
Blame, a Kentucky-bred son of Arch out of the Seeking the Gold mare Liable, covered the 1 1/8 miles over the main track in 1:50.54 in turning back seven rivals before a closing-day crowd of 8,871. The field was reduced to eight with the scratches of Medjool and Giant Oak.
Trained by Al Stall Jr., Blame remained perfect in two starts over the Polytrack at Keeneland and with the $90,000 payday increased his earnings to $356,875 with a record of four wins in seven starts. In his previous start, Blame was second in the Super Derby (G2) at Louisiana Downs on September 19.
Blame, sent off as the second choice, returned $6.60, $3.40 and $2.80. Parading, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, returned $2.60 and $2.20. Wicked Style, who was a half-length behind Parading in third under Robby Albarado, returned $4 to show.