Calder: Closing Range steals La Prevoyante on front end

MIAMI - Closing Range was allowed to set a relatively slow pace over a firm and dusty turf course, and then reaped the benefits of that strategy when he pulled away to a 2 3/4-length victory over Ciao Bella in the $100,000 La Prevoyante Handicap, the co-feature on Friday’s closing-day program at Calder.

With Elvis Trujillo aboard, Closing Range set splits of 24.40 seconds, 49.66, and 1:15 for the opening six furlongs of the 12-furlong La Prevoyante, completed a mile in 1:39.79, and then had more than enough left in reserve to win for the fourth time in six career starts. Ciao Bella finished 1 1/4 lengths better than the 4-5 Havant, who was third in a scratched-reduced field of only six fillies and mares.

Closing Range, who is trained by Phil Oliver for the St. George Farm Racing LLC., completed 1 1/2 miles in 2:27.54 and paid $41.80.

Like Closing Range, Philly Ace also became a graded stakes winner for the first time when he rallied from just off the pace to run down the 9-5 favorite Hollinger and register a half-length decision in the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap. Empire Builder forced the issue throughout but faded late to finish third.

Philly Ace, a homebred son of Smart Strike, is trained by Christophe Clement for the Brushwood Stable. He ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.22 and returned $8.80.