Political Attack gets Matz back on track in Canadian Turf

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Michael Matz could smile at last. After going winless for the first two months of the meeting, Matz finally saddled his first winner this winter when sending out Political Attack to outlast Miesque's Approval by a neck to upset Sunday's $100,000 at Gulfstream Park.

"We really needed that one," a relieved Matz said in the winner's circle following the Grade 3 Canadian Turf.

Political Attack also ended a long losing streak of his own, capturing his first race since winning Calder's Tropical Park Derby on New Years Day in 2002.

Under a well judged ride by Mark Guidry, Political Attack took back off the early pace of Rakoon, engaged that rival to take command leaving the far turn, opened a clear advantage through the stretch before repulsing bids from both Strategic Partner and the even money Miesque's Approval. The latter raced well placed just behind the early leaders, eased outside the winner for the stretch run but hung late. Strategic Partner altered course and angled inside Political Attack to loom boldly at midstretch but could not sustain his bid.

Political Attack, a son of Hawk Attack is owned by F. Eugene Dixon Jr. He paid $20.40 after covering 1 & 1/16 miles in 1:34.57 over a firm course.

"The way this meet has been going it seemed no matter what we did we couldn't do anything right," said Matz. "These things are hard to go through but hopefully this win will start us on a roll again."

Matz said some advice from Guidry paid off in the stretch run of the Canadian Turf.

"Mark suggested after his last race that we open the blinkers and this time he saw that other horse(Miesque's Approval) coming at him and didn't want to give up."