Cenzontle goes last to first
The stretch-running Cenzontle ($11.60) took advantage of a fast pace, rallying from the rear of the pack to a half-length victory over Mr. Silver in the $55,000 The Vid Stakes.
Cenzontle did not have a horse beat going around the clubhouse turn of the 7 1/2-furlong The Vid, but moved into contention under jockey Ariel Smith leaving the backstretch.
Cenzontle, a 4-year-old son of Smart Strike, raced wide turning for home, engaged Mr. Silver near midstretch, then gradually edged away.
Mr. Silver recovered after stumbling at the break to force the pace of Quistopher through fractions of 23.58 seconds, 46.12, and 1:09.98 over the firm turf course. Mr. Silver gained a short advantage nearing the eighth pole and held gamely before finally succumbing near the wire. Lettie's Relic raced within easy striking distance from the outset, but lacked a late response, finishing another 1 3/4 lengths farther back in third.
Sweetnorthernsaint, the 3-2 favorite despite finishing far back in his only previous start on turf, steadied behind the tiring Quistopher in early stretch and never recovered, finishing sixth in a scratched-reduced field of nine.
Cenzontle is trained by Kirk Ziadie for the St. George Stable LLC. He was timed in 1:28.48.
* It's a Bird ($5.20) got all the help he needed when allowed to set a slow pace en route to a convincing five-length triumph over Imawildandcrazyguy in the $55,000 Plagiarize Stakes.
It's a Bird somehow got clear on the lead while setting fractions of 25.07, 50.69, and 1:16.84 with the riders of Finallymadeit and Alarming Afleet steadying along repeatedly in behind the pacesetter during the opening six furlongs of the 1 1/2- mile race. Imawildandcrazyguy finally took a run at the leader on the final turn but had little chance to overtake It's a Bird, who had plenty in reserve to easily draw away when roused by jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan in early stretch.
Finallymadeit faded badly after being restrained through much of the early running, finishing seventh as the 7-5 favorite.