Philadelphia: Tani Maru dominates

Owners Donald and Adam Newman and trainer Thomas Bush had been aiming high with Tani Maru, sending him against such top-class horses as Lost in the Fog and Park Avenue Ball in his last two starts. On Saturday, they took aim at a much more realistic target and came away with a bulls-eye when Tani Maru cruised to a 9 3/4-length score over three other 3-year-olds in the $97,000 Larry Riviello President's Cup at Philadelphia Park.

Jockey Harry Vega took Tani Maru to the lead in the mile and 70-yard race, and they were pressed by Letterman's Humor through fractions of 22.89 seconds and 46.70. Tani Maru shook free after six furlongs in 1:12.22 and finished in 1:43.83.

Letterman's Humor held on for second, 11 1/2 lengths in front of Russian Bay in third. Legal Control finished last.

Tani Maru, a Cherokee Run colt, paid $4.80. The victory was his fourth in 13 starts and second this year.