Closer Parose cashes in on hot pace

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Parose closed well off off hot fractions under Todd Kabel to win Saturday's Grade 3, $167,700 Woodbine Slots Cup Handicap.

Parose sat 12 lengths off the early lead in the 1 1/16-mile race, as B.D. Victor and Captain Wallstreet dueled through splits of 23.12 and 46.71 seconds. B.D. Victor opened a lead on the far turn through three-quarters in 1:11.65, while Parose was in the midst of a four-wide rally.

Parose hit the front at the sixteenth pole, then held off Attest and a host of others to win by a half-length, paying $5.20. Attest edged Divine Luck by a neck for third in the nine-horse field. The time was 1:45.10.

Said Kabel: "He left the gate sharply and was on the bridle the whole way. He tends to loaf when he makes the lead, but he dug in gamely today."

Dream Launcher was the favorite with about two minutes to post, when he was scratched by the commission veterinarian.