Procreate gets win at Penn

Procreate, who set a world record for five furlongs on turf last season but had gone winless for more than a year, rediscovered his best form to win Thursday night's $50,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap at Penn National Race Course.

Ridden for the first time by 18-year-old apprentice Rosie Napravnik, the 8-year-old Procreate ($21.40) established a clear lead from post 10, and got to the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front while covering five furlongs on firm turf in 55.46 seconds.

"He cleared the field before we hit the turn, and right then I felt good about our chances," Napravnik said. "When we turned for home he was still pretty comfortable. I guess he just felt like running tonight."

Southern Missile made a late run from sixth to get second by a neck over Who's Bluffing. Pisgah, the 8-5 favorite, finished fourth after getting shuffled back on the turn.

Procreate's task was made a bit easier when one of the other speeds in the race, 2-1 second choice Max West, hit the gate at the break.

Procreate's last turf win came in April 2005, when he won the Yankee Affair at Gulfstream Park in a world record 53.79 seconds for five furlongs.

Procreate finished fourth as the favorite in last year's Governor's Cup when the late John Zimmerman trained him. The Governor's Cup was only his second start since owners Harry Nye and Thomas McClay sent him to Michael Trombetta's barn.