Ellis: Sonic West steps up

Sonic West, fresh from a win in the entry-level allowance ranks, drew off with surprising ease for a 4 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 Governor's Handicap at Ellis Park.

Giving leading jockey Rafael Bejarano his fourth of five wins on the card, Sonic West returned $17.20 as the fifth choice among eight older horses in the one-mile Governor's. He finished in 1:37.31 over a fast track.

Trion Georgia held second by a nose over Sterling Gold, while Woodmoon, the 5-2 favorite, was never a threat in finishing fourth.

Sonic West, a 4-year-old gelding by West by West, is owned by the Stone Spire syndicate and trained by Tom Van Berg, son of Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. The Governor's was the seventh career start for the colt.

The five-win day was the second of the week for Bejarano.