Aqueduct: Tough beat for Gander

JAMAICA, N.Y. - After a tough trip, Gander, the odds-on favorite of the second division of the $81,200 Kings Point Handicap at Aqueduct, finished a game second, beaten a nose by Mount Intrepid.

Gander, a graded stakes winner making his first start in the statebred ranks since July 2000, lunged at the start and got off last in the field of five in the 1 1/8-mile Kings Point. Under John Velazquez, Gander quickly recovered to press pacesetter Deputy Shaker from the outside and then seized the lead around the far turn. Gander was challenged from the outside by Mount Intrepid in deep stretch and briefly lost his momentum as he crossed the tire tracks left from the starting gate on the sloppy track.

Mount Intrepid ($12.40), ridden by Norberto Arroyo Jr. and trained by Howie Tesher, covered the distance in 1:51.92. The 5-year-old Mount Intrepid is owned and was bred by Edwin Wachtel.

Wachtel also won the first division of the Kings Point with Compelling World ($20.80), who came from last to first in the six-horse field to win the race by 4 3/4 lengths over Tom's Thunder.