Let the Musicbegin catches Bullish Liz in Valentini

Under clever handling from Miguel Perez, 12-1 outsider Let the Musicbegin collared early pacesetter Bullish Liz turning for home and went on to a half-length win in Sunday's $100,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap at Sunland Park. Bullish Liz gave ground grudgingly to the winner and was almost six lengths clear of another longshot, Treading Water. Odds-on favorite La Sorpresa finished fourth.

"There was a slow pace," Perez said in the winner's circle. "I tried to find a hole between horses. When I had a chance, she started to gun for it."

Trained by Claire Greenwood, Let the Musicbegin ($26.20) picked up her second career stakes tally and fifth overall from 26 starts. She covered the one-mile distance in 1:37.89 over a fast track. The 6-year-old mare has now banked more than $251,000.