ASCOT, England -- Rakti held off Lucky Story for a half-length victory Saturday in the $450,000 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the last big event before the Ascot course is closed and rebuilt.
Rakti, a 9-2 shot ridden by Philip Robinson, had led by two lengths. But Lucky Story, a 16-1 choice with Darryl Holland aboard, narrowed the gap in the charge to the finish. Refuse to Bend was third. Soviet Song, a filly, was the 5-2 favorite but came in fifth.
Rakti, a 5-year-old, won the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Ascot will shut until May 2006, and the 2005 Royal Ascot meet will be staged at York.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
