Inveniam Viam rallies to win Ci Sima Stakes

Inveniam Viam picked up at the start of this Fair Grounds racing season right where she left off last meet.

Claimed for $20,000 in January, Inveniam Viam won consecutive Fair Grounds grass races in February and on closing day, April 1, and on Saturday, she was comfortably best in the $50,000 Ci Sima Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares.

Stalking from sixth under Shaun Bridgmohan, Inveniam Viam found her best stride at the top of the long Fair Grounds homestretch, and in the final furlong collared and ran past pace-setter Pera. Pera, a 58-1 chance, cruised along through slow splits of 24.90 and 50.91 and held second by 1 1/4 lengths over favored Dontmesswithjoane. Brad Cox trains both Inveniam Viam and Dontmesswithjoane, the latter disadvantaged as a closer rallying into a slow-early, fast-late race shape.

Inveniam Viam, getting her last furlong in about 11.60 seconds, was timed in 1:37.84 for the mile on firm turf. She paid $6.40 to win as the second betting choice.

Inveniam Viam now has won 5 times from 9 starts, banking about $150,000, since Cox and Allied Racing Stable claimed her last winter.

Stand Him Up gets first stakes win in Heitai

In a race lacking anything like a standout, Stand Him Up stood up and stepped forward Saturday.

A 5-year-old making his 13th start, Stand Him Up had been eased a year ago in the $50,000 Heitai Stakes, his only previous stakes start, but proved much the best in this year’s edition. Stalking longshot Biblical Strength’s splits of 22.28 and 45.88, Stand Him Up and jockey Gabriel Saez cruised to the leaders coming off the turn, made the front before the furlong grounds, and pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths. He covered six furlongs on a fast track in a snappy 1:10.05 while running the best race of his career.

Sir Genghis, the 5-2 favorite, had every chance through the homestretch but couldn’t quicken with the winner, settling for second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of mildly closing Grande Basin.

Stand Him Up ($15) is trained by Tucker Alonzo, who conditioned the excellent sprinter Bonapaw for much of his highly successful career. Racing for the first time since Aug. 5, Stand Him Up ran his career mark to a strong 6-4-1 from 13 starts. A 5-year-old gelding by Time Bandit out of Taffy Davenport, by Miswaki, Stand Him Up was bred and is owned by Hay Hollow Racing.