Parx: Fordangshore goes from last to first in Bensalem

Fordangshore, last of seven after the opening quarter-mile, rallied six wide coming into the stretch and drew off to a 2 3/4-length victory in Tuesday’s $75,000 Bensalem Stakes at Parx Racing.

Based in Maryland with trainer Mike Trombetta, the 5-year-old Fordangshore ($8) was cutting back slightly in distance from seven to 6 1/2 furlongs and dropping in class after finishing fifth in his stakes debut in last month’s Grade 2 General George Handicap at Laurel Park.

Tromnbetta, who also owns the gelding in partnership with Ted Julie, gave Fordangshore a stakes shot after he won 3 of 4 starts against high-priced optional claimers between September and January.

Ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, Fordangshore completed the distance in 1:25.63 for his fifth win in 13 career starts. He was ahead of just one horse after 27-1 longshot Closing Vision set an uncontested pace of 44.53 seconds for the first half-mile. The field bunched up turning into the stretch and Fordangshore, running on the far outside of the pack, stuck his head in front of even-money favorite Flat Bold before taking command in the final furlong.

Rod’s Five Star, making his first start since November, finished second at 6-1, two lengths in front of 5-2 second choice Golddigger’s Boy, a three-time stakes winner last season who had been idle since Oct. 1. Flat Bold, who posted a 99 Beyer Speed Figure racing at Parx on one day’s rest in early February, weakened in deep stretch to finish fourth, 1 1/2 lengths behind Golddigger’s Boy.

The Bensalem was the first of four overnight stakes Parx will conduct on Tuesdays during March and April.