Mr. Conclusive stakes claim as Michigan's top 2-year-old

Mr. Conclusive went to the head of the 2-year-old class at Pinnacle Race Course when he won the $50,000 Patrick Wood Stakes on Monday by a convincing six lengths over Run Up the Score. Native Coaster was another three-quarters of a length back in third in the field of nine statebred juvenile colts and geldings.

Under leading rider Terry Houghton, Mr. Conclusive ($9.40) hugged the rail and rallied at the top of the stretch to collar longshot Native Coaster, then drew off and won handily, stopping the timer in 1:13.66 for six furlongs.

Winning trainer Sandy Adkins also saddled fourth-place finisher Elusive Furrari and favored Weepster, who was off awkwardly and pressed the pace before finishing last. The Wood was the first test for statebred 2-year-old colts and geldings at the track, which opened in July.

The Wood victory was Houghton's fourth on the nine-race card. He led all riders with 71 wins at the meet through Tuesday. Freddie Mata was second with 56, while Tommy Molina had 35.

* The Mackinac Handicap, originally scheduled for Monday, will instead be run on Sunday.