Lookin for Eight gets first stakes victory in Durham Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Lookin for Eight, the longest shot in a four-horse field, notched his first stakes in style under Jerome Lermyte in Sunday’s Grade 3, $126,500 Durham Cup at Woodbine.

The favored Melmich held the early lead briefly in the nine-furlong test before Lookin for Eight assumed command on the first turn and then proceeded to set moderate fractions while being pressed by Florida Won.

Lookin for Eight ($26.50) began to draw off early in the stretch and then coasted home on top by 1 1/4 lengths over Florida Won in 1:50.55. After taking a run at Lookin for Eight on the far turn, Melmich faded to third, and Avie’s Mesa trailed throughout.

“When I saw Florida Won coming on my outside, I saw I was going better than him,” Lermyte said. “When I asked him, he just kept on going.”

Lookin for Eight was supplemented to the race by trainer Mark Casse after scratching out of a second-level optional claimer on Saturday. The son of classic winner Lookin At Lucky earned $78,750 for the partnership of Gary Barber, John Oxley, Ralph Kinder, and Erv Woolsey.

Due to the scratch of morning-line favorite Are You Kidding Me, there was only win and exacta wagering on the Durham Cup.