Krz Exec prevails by neck

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Krz Exec ($26.80) overtook the front-runners in the final strides to capture the $150,800 Ontario Damsel Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

A hotly-contested pace battle materialized in the 6 1/2 -furlong turf sprint, when Anne's Purse and Gloriously linked up through fractions of 22.58 and 44.86 seconds.

Krz Exec raced about three lengths off the lead on the turn, and then closed three-wide in the stretch to score by a neck, in a time of 1:14.66. Anne's Purse gamely held second by a neck over Gloriously, the tepid 2-1 favorite in the seven-horse field of Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies.

"I was in the pocket," said Jerry Baird, who rode Krz Exec for trainer Mike DePaulo. "I saved all the ground, as the trainer loves. She likes to get her head in front at the wire."

In her first appearance since her victory in the Dec. 5 Ontario Lassie Stakes, Krz Exec earned $90,000 for Sylon Stable and Partner.