Joey's Best wins first race in Kingarvie

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Joey's Best ($10.10) graduated in style at Woodbine Saturday, taking the $125,800 Kingarvie Stakes under Patrick Husbands in his first try around two turns.

Victory Launch set a quick pace in the 1 1/16-mile test for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds, while being tracked by favored Bold Canadian and second choice Ring My Surprise.

Bold Canadian assumed command exiting the far turn, while Joey's Best was in the midst of a five-wide rally from last. Joey's Best hit the front just inside the eighth pole, and then drew clear to score by 3 1/4 lengths, in a time of 1:46.06. Golden Girl Sue checked in 3 1/4 lengths behind Bold Canadian in third in the seven-horse field.

Joey's Best, who banked $75,000 for owner/breeder Gord Cappuccitti, finished fifth in each of his other two races.

"I thought he was better than he had shown," said Audre Cappuccitti, who trains Joey's Best. "He had problems in both of his races."