Heckofaralph Ties Five-Furlong Record

MIAMI — Heckofaralph tied the world-record time for five furlongs in winning the $200,000 Turf Sprint Handicap at Calder Race Course by 2 1/4 lengths Saturday over GH’s Pleasure.

Ridden by Jose Ferrer, Heckofaralph was timed in 54 4/5 seconds to match the effort by the mare Klassy Briefcase in 1991 at Monmouth Park and equaled two years later by Tsunami Spangler at Monmouth. It also topped his own course record set June 6.

Heckofaralph covered the first quarter-mile in 21 1/5 seconds and a half-mile in 43 1/5 to run away from the field of 11 older horses. He paid $5.60, $4 and $3.20 as the favorite.

GH’s Pleasure edged My Favorite Grub to return $9.20 and $6. My Favorite Grub paid $7.20.

Heckofaralph sprinted to the lead from the 10th post and led every step of the way. He turned for home with a 1 1/2-length lead over My Favorite Grub, opened it to three inside the eighth pole and never was threatened.