A North East Bound runaway

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Rain or shine, turf or dirt, if anyone deserved to win Saturday's $150,000 it was North East Bound.

After suffering heartbreaking setbacks, by a head in the Appleton Handicap and a neck in the Ft. Lauderdale Handicap, North East Bound left little doubt who was best in the Canadian. Leading throughout before drawing off to a 4 3/4-length victory over Capsized and a field that scratched down to four after the race was taken off the turf and switched to a sloppy main track because of heavy rain.

Racing without blinkers for the first time since his 3-year-old campaign, North East Bound quickly assumed command under regular rider Jose Velez Jr., with Capsized in closest pursuit from the outset. The field remained bunched, with fewer than three lengths separating the pack after the first six furlongs, until North East Bound asserted his superiority by pulling away with complete authority through the stretch.

Capsized easily remained second best, checking home 5 1/2 lengths before Flying Avie. Galic Boy was fourth and last. Hap, Pisces, Star Over The Bay, TV Sports Director, and North East Bound's uncoupled stablemate, One Eyed Joker, all scratched.

North East Bound paid $4.40 after covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.01 seconds.

"That looked like the North East Bound of old," said Bill Perry, who trains the 6-year-old gelding for owners Julian Demarco and Richard Disano.

Perry said he originally thought about scratching both his horses. "He really has never fared well over this track," said Perry of North East Bound. "But I got to thinking he might not have been at his best when he ran here the last few times. I don't know if taking the blinkers off today made any difference or not. He needed them when I put them on after his first couple of starts but he doesn't really need them now."

Perry said North East Bound will likely make his next start in defense of his title in Keeneland's Maker's Mark Mile.