Artemus Citylimits ($40.40) beats the crowd in Vice Regent

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The well-traveled Artemus Citylimits prevailed in a blanket finish in Sunday’s $150,000 Vice Regent Stakes at Woodbine, while the favored Outlaw Kid had to settle for fourth after a brutal trip in the five-furlong inner turf dash.

With apprentice Xarel Forde aboard, Artemus Citylimits rallied outside from four lengths off a contested pace to win by a neck over another longshot, Giant Teddy, who had an ideal stalking trip under Jason Hoyte. Over a course labeled good, the final time was :57.19.

Saratoga-based Outlaw Kid was bet down to 4-5 in his quest to win the Vice Regent for the third year in a row. After bobbling at the break, he was steadied early and was shuffled back heading into the turn behind a checking Giant Teddy. Sahin Civaci got him rolling late along the rail before a closing Giant Teddy beat him out for third in the eight-horse field of Ontario-breds.

It was the first Woodbine stakes victory for the Bajan native Forde in his first year riding in Canada.

“It went to plan,” Forde said. “We had a good break and just sat behind the speed. Turning for home, I set him loose.”

Trained by Marty Drexler, Artemus Citylimits earned $90,000 for owner Dwight Baron. The 8-year-old Temple City gelding returned $40.40 in his initial stakes score.

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