08/04/2012 5:32PM

Woodbine: Alpha Bettor surprises in Seagram Cup

By Ron Gierkink
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Michael Burns
Alpha Bettor, ridden by Tyler Pizzaro, defeats City Wolf by a half-length in the Seagram Cup.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Alpha Bettor, a 23-1 bomb, caught City Wolf in the final strides to notch his first stakes win Saturday at Woodbine in the Grade 3, $152,400 Seagram Cup.

Incredicat set honest fractions in the 1 1/6-mile route, with City Wolf in close proximity on the backstretch. City Wolf took control early in the stretch, and seemed headed for an overdue win, but Alpha Bettor came charging on the outside from fourth to score by a half-length, in 1:43.79.

James Street rallied for third, and favored Pool Play was a non-challenging fourth in the seven-horse field.  

Tyler Pizarro rode Alpha Bettor for Bulldog Racing and trainer Danny Vella.

“He broke half-a-step slow coming out of the gate,” said Pizarro. “We got to the outside, which ended up being the perfect spot. When I asked him, he took off.”

Alpha Bettor ($48.90), who was supplemented for $3,000, earned $90,000.