Heza Wild Guy outduels Kaddish to take John Bullit

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Heza Wild Guy outdueled 5-2 favorite Kaddish to score a half-length victory in the $50,000 John Bullit at 1 1/16 miles on turf Sunday at Canterbury Park.

A 9-year-old, Heza Wild Guy ($7.20) won his second straight race, moving his career wins total to 27. In his previous start, he scored a 1 3/4-length win in the AJ Foyt at Indiana Downs on July 14.

Sunday, Heza Wild Guy took the lead early and set easy fractions of 24.89 and 50.16 seconds. Kaddish stalked in second and challenged the leader turning for home.

"He actually got by me a bit at the top of the lane, but I had the gamest horse," jockey Ry Eikleberry said. "Those easy fractions helped a bit, and he was able to come back on."

Heza Wild Guy won in 1:44.36. He was part of a three-horse entry for trainer Bernell Rhone and races for owners Will Carlson and Jerry Pine.

*Thewayitusedtobe ($5.60) took control on the far turn and romped to a 9 1/4-length victory over Mondovi in the $35,000 Brian Barenscheer Juvenile for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Thewayitusedtobe entered the race off a victory in a maiden special weight at Arlington Park on July 17.

Jockey Julio Felix said he had to change tactics when he didn't get the break he wanted.

"He had a little trouble getting a hold of the track," Felix said. "He slipped out of the gate. Once I didn't get the lead, I had to go to plan B."

The filly Spunkette grabbed the lead early and set fractions of 21.86 and 45.56 before fading to third. Thewayitusedtobe tracked just off the pace, with 6-5 favorite Mondovi stalking five lengths behind the leaders. Thewayitusedtobe took the lead exiting the far turn and never looked back, finishing in 1:04.04.

"I've got high hopes for this horse," Felix said. "He could be really good."

Thewayitusedtobe races for the Chicago-based barn of Rafael Flores and is owned by Jose Luis Gonzalez.