Moudez ends three-year victory drought in Joseph Grace

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Moudez ($14.20) unleashed an electrifying stretch run, rallying from last to win the $58,500 Joseph Grace at the Sonoma County Fair on Sunday.

The victory was his third straight, but his first since April 19, 2007, when he won the Forerunner at Keeneland.

An Irish-bred son of Xaar, Moudez broke well and stalked nicely through the opening quarter-mile of the 1 1/16-mile turf race. As the field turned into the backstretch, jockey Michael Martinez dropped him back to last, biding his time seven lengths behind pacesetter Restless Youth.

Moudez began to move on the second turn but bobbled nearing the quarter pole before quickly recovering. He was still last at the furlong pole, trailing Restless Youth by four lengths when he sprung to life and roared past his five rivals, pulling away to defeat Live Sundays by 1 1/4 lengths. Moudez finished in 1:43.86, covering the final sixteenth of a mile in five seconds and change.

Restless Youth held on for third, three-quarters of a length behind Live Sundays and one length in front of even-money favorite Sir Al.

Owned by Zayat Stables and trained by Steve Miyadi, Moudez earned $32,750. He won for the fourth time in six starts and raised his career earnings to $142,867.