Mark One wins by a head

Mark One, with Robert Landry aboard, overtook A Bit O'Gold in the final strides to post a 6-1 upset victory in Saturday's $157,950 .

Norfolk Knight, the 1-2 favorite in the four-horse field, set fractions of 23.92 seconds, 47.62, and 1:12.27 seconds over a muddy track in the 1 1/16-mile race.

A Bit O'Gold took the first run at Norfolk Knight, and got by him at the eighth pole, but Mark One was in full flight at that point, and came on to prevail by a head in a final time of 1:45 seconds. Norfolk Knight finished another 2 1/2 lengths back in third, while Open Lock was a non-factor in fourth.

"Everything went well for us today," said Danny Vella, who trains Mark One for Stronach Stable. "He's one of those big, strong, tough horses, who does everything right all the time."

Mark One ($14.50) earned $99,508 for winning his second Grade 3 stakes of the Woodbine meeting. He also captured the Eclipse Handicap over a sloppy track in May.