Kudu closes from far back

Kudu, a deep closer who had been beaten more than 24 total lengths in his last two starts, rallied from far back to upset Saturday's $75,000 Docent Handicap at Philadelphia Park.

Ridden by Stewart Elliott for trainer Keith Lebarron, Kudu ($19.80) was last of eight after the first half-mile of the 1 1/8-mile race for Pennsylvania-breds and still had only one horse beaten after six furlongs in 1:12.06.

But all the ground that Elliott saved proved pivotal when the 4-year-old Kudu rallied up the rail and overtook the pacesetter, fellow longshot Balian, to easily win by 4 1/2 lengths.

Balian held on for second, 3 1/4 lengths in front of Sweet Sugar.

Kudu, who had been claimed for $15,000 last January, had most recently been beaten 11 1/4 lengths in last month's Smarty Jones Classic by Delaware River. The 8-year-old Delaware River endured an extremely wide trip in the Docent and finished seventh as the 6-5 favorite.

Kudu ran the nine furlongs over a sloppy track in 1:51.27.

* Miss Blue Tye Dye ($7) led wire to wire to take the $75,000 Cozy Lace Stakes for statebred fillies and mares by 2 1/2 lengths. In winning for the 11th time in 33 starts, she completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.49 for jockey Frankie Pennington and trainer Butch Reid.

Elizaveta, a 10-1 shot, finished second, a length in front of Coastal Solace, the 1-2 favorite.