The Enquirer and wire reports

In Rome rallied to win the $100,000 Pepsi Bassinet Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by three-quarters of a length Saturday at River Downs.

Trainer David Vance and owner Carl Pollard immediately thought of their 2000 Bassinet winner - Caressing.

Caressing went on to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and was voted an Eclipse Award as juvenile champion filly.

"Caressing was fast from the beginning," Vance said. "She had explosive speed. (In Rome) took a while to come into herself. She will get better going longer."

Trapped behind horses in the stretch, In Rome and leading rider Jeff Johnston found room along the rail.

"We knew there was going to be a lot of speed up front and were content to let the leaders go at it," Johnston said. "A hole opened along the rail, and she went through it willingly and was strong all the way."

In Rome ran the 6 furlongs in 1:13 on a surface dulled by overnight rain, and paid $11 to win as the third choice.

Long shot Down by the Sea was second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Bassinet Prep winner Snappy Little Cat. Odds-on favorite Ding's Thing finished eighth in the field of 11.

In Rome, who broke her maiden Aug. 3 at Ellis Park, has won two in a row after losing her first three races, including a sixth place in the Grade III Debutante at Churchill Downs July 4.

HOPEFUL STAKES: Silver Wagon, under Jerry Bailey, pulled away in midstretch for a 4-length upset of previously undefeated Chapel Royal, the 2-to-5 favorite, in the $200,000 Grade I stakes for 2-year-olds at Saratoga.

DEL MAR DEBUTANTE: Favorite Halfbridled, a daughter of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled and ridden by Julie Krone, scored an impressive 5-length victory in the $250,000 Grade I race for 2-year-old fillies.

HARNESS RACING: The $550,000 World Trotting Derby in Du Quoin, Ill., was rained out Saturday and not rescheduled. Mutineer was the favorite.