Mustanfar placed first in Lexington

ELMONT, N.Y. - A brushing incident in deep stretch cost favored Icy Atlantic the victory in the $111,100 Lexington Stakes at Belmont Park.

Icy Atlantic, ridden by the meet's leading rider, John Velazquez, finished a nose in front of Mustanfar in the 1 1/4-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. The stewards, who posted an inquiry not long after the field crossed the finish line, disqualified Icy Atlantic from first and placed him second for coming out and making contact with Mustanfar. The disqualification provided Mustanfar, ridden by Jose Santos, with the first stakes win of his career.

Icy Atlantic had the early lead going into the backstretch, but was soon overtaken by Second Performance. Those two horses ran together through a mile in 1:34.81 over a firm course.

Mustanfar, who was never far off the pace, made a three-wide move around the far turn and was making up ground in the stretch when he came in slightly and brushed with Icy Atlantic under Santos's right-hand whip. In turn, Icy Atlantic came out and made contact with Mustanfar when Velazquez hit him left-handed.

The final time was 2:01.15. Second Performance finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Mustanfar ($13.40).