Woodbine: Forte Dei Marmi surges from last to take Sky Classic

Michael Burns

Forte Dei Marmi, ridden by Alex Solis, scores by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 2 Sky Classic.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The well-traveled Forte Dei Marmi closed strongly on the outside in the stretch to take the Grade 2, $264,000 Sky Classic Stakes under Alex Solis at Woodbine on Sunday.

Forte Dei Marmi ($14.10) trailed the eight-horse field all the way around until the quarter pole, where he began to mount his bid. He got home on top by three-quarters of a length over 21-1 outsider Stormy Lord, who set a moderate pace in the 10-furlong turf route. Scalo, the favored German invader, finished another neck back in third in his first start with Lasix.

“He’s a horse who likes to take his time,” said Solis of Forte Dei Marmi. “He was very relaxed back there. I just had to be patient. At the top of the stretch, I thought it was time to go, and when I got him out, he did his thing.”

Forte Dei Marmi, trained by Roger Attfield, covered the distance on firm ground in 2:02.57. He collected $150,000 for owner Stella Perdomo.

Moment of Majesty upsets Belle Mahone

Moment of Majesty ($24.80) came widest from last to capture Sunday’s supporting feature, the $113,000 Belle Mahone Stakes, by a half-length over 14-1 outsider Silent Moon. The favored Juanita trailed the nine-horse field after setting slow fractions in her first Polytrack start.

Under a patient ride from Gerry Olguin, the Sue Leslie-trained Moment of Majesty covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.63.