Cryptolight ends losing streak in Fall Stakes

In four previous starts in stakes at Mountaineer Racetrack this season, Cryptolight had to settle for small pieces of the purse, finishing second three times and third in his other race locally.

In Tuesday night's $75,000 Fall Stakes, however, the 5-year-old Cryptolight broke a seven-race losing streak while running the fastest race of his 34-race career.

Ridden by Deshawn Parker for trainer William Martin, Cryptolight ($14.20) cruised to a three-length win over Encaustic while covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.54. That was worth a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, four points higher than his previous career best earned last time out as the runner-up in Mountaineer's Labor Day Stakes.

It was Cryptolight's first win since he took a high-priced optional claimer in February at Oaklawn Park.

Encaustic, the 2-1 second choice in a field of six older horses, was 12 1/2 lengths clear of Fancy Runner, the 9-5 favorite.