Distinctive Trick wires field to upset Capossela

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - How Distinctive Trick won Saturday's Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes was more surprising than the fact that he won it at all.

Out-breaking several who seemed naturally faster than him, Distinctive Trick led from start to finish under Stewart Elliott to win the $80,550 Capossela by a half-length over Pavo. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to Benjamin Baby, who finished one length ahead of even-money favorite Attila's Storm. Summerland and Hottothetouch completed the order of finish.

Distinctive Trick, owned and trained by Uriah St. Lewis, was sent off at 22-1 and returned $47.40 to win.

After looking at the field, Elliott said he thought he'd be laying third or fourth in the early stages. But Distinctive Trick broke on top and set fractions of 22.82 seconds, 46.43, and covered the six furlongs in 1:10.96 over Aqueduct's fast inner track.

"He just came out of there running, so I wasn't going to take him back," said Elliott. "He cruised to the lead and we were able to get over and get the rail [under a hold]. I had horse and he just kept running."

St. Lewis, who won his first stakes in New York, said he was confident when he saw the half-mile fraction.

"We knew he could finish," he said.

Many thought that Attila's Storm, Summerland, and possibly Benjamin Baby would vie for the early lead. Jockey Rafael Bejarano had Attila's Storm chasing Distinctive Trick from the outside while Summerland was in tight between those two.

Bejarano said Attila's Storm was comfortable early, but "when I asked my horse, he ran a little bit, but got tired."