Legend Fortynine takes over division with Ky Alta win

Legend Fortynine took over the lead in the 3-year-old division at Northlands with a convincing win in the $55,000 Ky Alta Handicap on Saturday. He paid $9.00 as the third choice in the one-mile race that drew seven horses.

With Rico Walcott aboard, Legend Fortynine broke alertly, stalked the moderate pace set by True Thought, and took control of the race on the stretch turn. He held a three-length advantage over Go Max heading into the stretch and never looked threatened while posting a final margin of 1 1/2 lengths. Go Max finished another five lengths in front of True Thought. The 8-5 favorite Spinmeister looked like a threat at the quarter-pole but faded to finish last.

“He broke really well and felt great, so I just left him up there,” said Walcott.

The final time was 1:39.07.

Legend Fortynine is trained by Dale Saunders, who was the leading trainer at Northlands last year. After getting off to a cold start at the meet, Saunders has heated up lately, winning eight races in the past two weeks.

** On Friday night, Via Bendita upset the $48,000 R. K. (Red) Smith for 3-year-old fillies. She paid $26.00 for her three-quarter-length win over Holiday Babe. The heavily favored Honey Candy forced the pace before fading to finish sixth.

The final time was 1:40.12.

Via Bendita is trained by Rod Cone. TheFlorida-bred daughter of Borrego is owned by her breeder, Mat Monaco.

“I thought she was going to be running for $5,000 when I had her in Golden Gate this winter,” said Cone. “She has really improved since she got here.”