Nani Rose, the 3-2 favorite, took control midway down the backstretch and then held off the fast-closing Perfect Sting yesterday to score a half-length victory in the Grade 3 Lake George Handicap on the turf at Saratoga.

It was another three-quarters of a length back to Intrigued in third.

Trained by Pat Byrne, Nani Rose now has won three in a row, including two consecutive stakes, since being moved to the turf.

Ridden by Shane Sellers, Nani Rose paid $5.10 and went the 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.

Nani Rose had set the pace throughout in both of her previous turf starts, but changed tactics yesterday and rated behind Rose Esther.

“She broke smoothly, and I was happy that she let me lay off her early, said Sellers. “I didn’t decide to move – she decided for me. Once she passed [Rose Esther] she went to the lead and just galloped.”

For Byrne, it was a sweet victory.

“This was a very solid group of 3-year-old fillies,” he said. “I think this was the toughest race for 3-year-old grass fillies run this year.”

Byrne must also have felt a little vindicated for defeating the Frank Stronach-owned Perfect Sting, a horse Byrne had trained earlier this year. Byrne is suing Stronach, saying he is owed $384,000 in back pay after his agreement to be private trainer was terminated earlier this year.