Longshot Wins Flamingo, Canaveral Last

HIALEAH, Fla. —  Heavily favored Canaveral, considered a major contender for the Kentucky Derby, faded to last in the $200,000 Flamingo Stakes Sunday at Hialeah Park, losing to 26-1 shot Meadow Flight.

Meadow Flight finished two lengths ahead of Bay Street Star in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds. Amathos was third and Honest Colors fourth in the field of 10.

Ridden by Craig Perret, Meadow Flight was timed in 1:49 3-5 and paid $54.80, $25 and $16. Bay Street paid $9 and $5.20, while Amathos returned $5.20.

Canaveral broke slowly but took the lead on the first turn. Meadow Flight passed the favorite on the outside at the half-mile pole.

Canaveral dropped to fourth and ceased to be a factor in the race from the three-eighths pole, reportedly losing a shoe during the race. The loss dropped Canaveral out of the May 7 Derby picture.

The basic weight was 122 pounds, with non-stakes winners carrying 118. The only colt to carry 122 was Bay Street Star, who had won a minor stakes victory March 2 at Gulfstream Park.

Canaveral, who had scored easy victories in his previous three races, was to be checked for internal bleeding at the barn after the race, although he didn’t appear to have bled.