Better Talk Now takes Sky Classic

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Better Talk Now ($5.70) prevailed in a three-way win photo over Jambalaya and Last Answer in Sunday's Grade 2, $300,800 at Woodbine.

With Ramon Dominguez riding, Better Talk Now rated kindly about seven lengths off the lead going down the backstretch of the mile and three-eighth grass event. Last Answer set a slow pace over a yielding course while being stalked by Jambalaya, who joined him on the lead in mid-stretch.

Better Talk Now saved ground through the far turn, and commenced a wide rally at the head of the stretch. He hit the front at the sixteenth pole and hung in the late stages, but recorded a head victory, in a final time of 2:18.50 seconds.

Jambalaya edged Last Answer by a nose for second. Grand Couturier, Pellegrino, Silver Whistle and Colorful Judgment completed the order of finish.

"He can be his own worse enemy when he gets a little too keyed up, but he was feeling great," Dominguez said. "As long as he relaxes, he can get it done. He's an old pro--he knows what needs to be done to win."

Better Talk Now, the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf winner, earned $180,000 for Bushwood Stable and trainer Graham Motion.

* Murani ($15.40) upset 4-5 favorite Noble Stella in Sunday's supporting feature, the $100,400 , a mile and a half grass marathon for fillies and mares.

Murani led most of the way under Emile Ramsammy to score by a length and a half over Noble Stella, who wilted in the final furlong after taking a slim lead at the quarter pole. Foamy Water finished another five lengths back in third in the six-horse field.

Murani, trained by Mike Keogh for Arosa Farm, completed the distance in 2:33.81. She banked $60,000 in her stakes debut.