Obi Wan Kenobi by five in Tri-State

Obi Wan Kenobi returned to form when overpowering six rivals for his first career stakes victory Saturday in the $50,000 Tri-State Handicap at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky.

With Brian Hernandez Jr. riding for breeder-owner Arthur Hancock 3rd and trainer Frank Brothers, Obi Wan Kenobi got a great stalking trip from behind a pair of dueling leaders before cruising to a five-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. The winner returned $5.40 as the favorite after finishing in 1:40.35 over a firm course.

Cat Shaker made a mild run to finish second, another length before Cat and a Half.

Obi Wan Kenobi, a 4-year-old Skywalker colt, now has won three races this year, and six of 15 overall starts. He was coming off an eighth-place finish in the Sea O'Erin Handicap over a yielding turf course at Arlington Park.