Lauro wires the field in Sky Classic upset

The German runner Lauro stole the $250,750 Sky Classic Stakes on the front end Saturday at Woodbine.

Lauro ($20.60) established slow fractions over yielding turf in the 1 3/8-mile route. He had a length lead with an eighth left and held off Seaside Retreat and favored Spice Route to prevail by a half-length over Seaside Retreat. Windward Islands and Royal Challenger completed the order of finish in the Grade 2 race, which was run in 2:18.81.

Tyler Pizarro rode Lauro for trainer Andreas Wohler.

"He was sharp in the post parade, and I expected him to come out of there pretty quick," Pizarro said. "I didn't want to be on the lead, but he absolutely dragged me. I got him to relax and save something for the end. He's got such a big heart. He definitely wanted to win today."

In his second start following an extended layoff, Lauro banked $150,000 for owner Gestuet Ittlingen.