Bricklayer rallies to win Manitoba Derby

Bricklayer came from a trailing ninth to win the $126,000 Manitoba Derby going away under Luis Fuentes on Monday night at Assiniboia Downs.

Bricklayer saved ground on the first turn in the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds as Lucky Appeal set quick fractions, with Itsallgoodman in close proximity.

Favored Awesome Road loomed into contention on the far turn before fading and Itsallgoodman established a clear lead in the stretch as Bricklayer was mounting a wide charge. Bricklayer hit the front around the sixteenth pole en route to a 3 1/4-length score, in a time of 1:56.55.

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McEwen, at 25-1, edged out 34-1 shot Lt. Norm for second. Itsallgoodman weakened to fourth and was followed by Roussette, Awesome Road, No Show No Call, Magnolia Speed, and Lucky Appeal.

Bricklayer returned $14.90 and earned $76,500 for owner-trainer Larry Gourneau Jr. The Kentucky-bred son of Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming had won his previous start in allowance company at Canterbury and was claimed for $30,000 at Churchill on June 7.

* Spitten Kitten ($3.80) won the $51,000 Escape Clause Stakes for fillies and mares by a nose over 61-1 outsider Jj’s American Diva. Renaldo Cumberbatch rode Spitten Kitten for trainer Marvin Buffalo.

* Blazing Bo ($9.70) took the $51,000 Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile Stakes for 3-year-olds and up over Big Mick with Prayven Badrie aboard for trainer Michael Nault.

* The total Jackpot Pick 5 pool was $2.4 million and the wager returned $974.09 for 20 cents with a mandatory payout on the line.

* The handle on the eight-race program was $3.7 million, which was a record for a Manitoba Derby card.

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