Moving Style sets record in Michigan Breeders Governor's Cup

Moving Style improved upon his winning performance in last year’s Michigan Breeders Governor’s Cup Handicap at Hazel Park by breaking the track record for six furlongs Saturday in this year’s $20,000 renewal.

The 6-year-old Meadow Prayer gelding led from the gate and was hurried early by Thirty Six Equal and Valient Tenobob into an opening quarter of 23.28 seconds. Moving Style maintained a length advantage over Valient Tenobob across the backstretch and completed the opening half-mile in 46.60 seconds.

Post-time favorite Moving Style ($3.80) widened his advantage through the final turn and drew off under steady right-handed urging from jockey Angel Stanley to win by 4 1/2 lengths. Al’s Prayer was the only foe with positive momentum in the deep stretch, moving up on the rail to finish second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of the third-place Meadow Wise.

Moving Style completed the six-furlong race for Michigan-bred older males in 1:12.80, eclipsing previous record holder American Buffalo, who stopped the clock at 1:13.42 June 5. It was Moving Style’s fourth career stakes win and improved his record to 12 wins in 32 starts for earnings of $212,580.

The victory also solidified a successful return to the barn of trainer Shane Spiess, who saddled the gelding to a pair of stakes wins in 2012 before losing him to a claim. Spiess acquired him privately with his father, Merrill Spiess, this spring after the horse changed hands twice more through the claim box. Moving Style won last year’s Michigan Breeders Governor’s Cup for Romar LLC and trainer Wayne Mogge.

Moving Style was bred in Michigan by James and Marcia Arnold.