Green Gratto springs 24-1 upset in Big A's Fall Highweight

NEW YORK (AP) Green Gratto pulled a 24-1 upset in the $250,000 Fall Highweight Handicap, the Thanksgiving feature at Aqueduct.

The longest shot in the seven-horse field set the pace under Kendrick Carmouche and held off the late charge from Palace by a head.

Wheeling back on only seven days of rest, Green Gratto beat a deep field that included defending champion Salutos Amigos and La Verdad, runner up in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last month at Keeneland.

The 5-year-old owned and trained by Gaston Grant got his first stakes victory.

''It's hard work and very emotional,'' Grant said. ''I've had this horse since he was a yearling and he just kept trying. I knew all along he was the kind of horse to win a graded stakes race.''

It was fifth win in 36 starts for the New Jersey bred. The time was 1:09.95 for six furlongs on the fast track.

Green Gratto paid $50.50, $19.80 and $9.70. Palace returned $7.10 and $4.70, and Fabulous Kid paid $7 to show.

Salutos Amigos ran fifth as the 3-2 favorite, one position better than 9-5 second choice La Verdad.

Earlier, Constellation dominated the $142,500 Furlough Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, beating Tonasah by 8 1/4 lengths as the 1-2 favorite.

Irad Ortiz Jr. was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen as Constellation got her second win in four starts. The time was 1:10.39 for six furlongs.