Populist makes early move

Caught wide onto the first turn, and with his mount asking to do more, jockey Travis Dunkelberger basically said, "To heck with it." Dunkelberger let Populist swoop to the lead, making an early move to seize the lead at the head of the backstretch, and Populist handled the rest, going on to a 1 3/4-length win in the $61,550 St. Georges Stakes on Saturday at Delaware Park.

The St. Georges was rained off grass and onto dirt. Populist wound up the third choice at 7-2, but turned out to be much the best. Trained by Gary Capuano for owner John Pike, Populist won her second straight race, having captured an entry-level allowance race May 31 at Pimlico.

Populist, who paid $9.60 to win, was timed in 1:45.16 for 1 1/16 miles. My Main Star rallied well for second, more than 10 lengths clear of third-place finisher and early pacesetter Fareena.