Costalivin overcomes traffic in Deputy Minister

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Costalivin overcame traffic problems to land his first stakes Wednesday night at Woodbine in the $126,200 Deputy Minister.

Daniel Be Good established quick fractions of 22.80 and 45.62 seconds in the seven-furlong sprint for Ontario-bred 3-year-olds. Costalivin trailed the eight-horse field on the backstretch, before looming into contention on the turn.

Costalivin lacked room on the turn, and a hole that he tried to go through at the eighth pole closed just before he got there, but he surged late along the inside to prevail by a head, in a time of 1:23.59. He paid $9.80.

Gypsy Ring, a 20-1 outsider, rallied wide for second, and Daniel Be Good weakened late to end up third. Favored The Boy's Ring tired to seventh after tracking the pacemaker early.

Jim McAleney rode Costalivin, who banked $75,000 for Jam Jar Racing Stable. It was the fifth stakes win at the meet for trainer John Ross.