Calder: Where's Sterling romps in Memorial Day Handicap

MIAMI, Fla. - Where’s Sterling asserted his class through the stretch, drawing away to a convincing 7 ½-length victory over Cash Rules in Monday’s $75,000 Memorial Day Handicap at Calder.

Where’s Sterling, a troubled fourth earlier this winter in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap, also did not have the smoothest of trips in the 1 1/16-mile Memorial Day, steadying in behind rivals on the far turn. But once angled wide and in the clear turning for home by jockey John Delgado, Where’s Sterling proved too good, easily overtaking the dueling leaders before pulling away to his first win of the year.

Cash Rules, second choice in the Memorial Day exiting a victory in an overnight stakes three weeks earlier, raced wide and readily outfinished the others to be second. Numb Lips steadied briefly behind tiring rivals nearing midstretch before rallying belatedly to be third.

Where’s Sterling is a 5-year-old son of Northern Afleet owned by Frank Calabrese and trained by Luis Ramirez. He completed the distance in 1:44.59 over a fast track and paid $5.20.