Rapid Proof wins Hopemont

Rapid Proof, who made it into the race off the also-eligible list, surged to victory Friday in the $115,000 Hopemont Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

Ridden by Calvin Borel, Rapid Proof swept to the lead with less than a quarter-mile remaining in the Hopemont, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 2-year-old colts and geldings. He proceeded to win by a length over Zydeco Affair, the 9-2 second choice in a field of 10, while Collateral Damage was third, another neck behind. Lismore Knight, the 3-5 favorite under Pat Day, prompted the pace before fading to fourth.

Rapid Proof, a Fast Play colt who had finished second in an Oct. 10 prep for the Hopemont, returned $19.20 after finishing in 1:46.45 over a yielding course.

Hal Wiggins trains Rapid Proof for his longtime client, Dolph Morrison. Rapid Proof now has won twice in five starts.

"We'll go to the Fair Grounds with him and try him in a couple of grass races down there," said Wiggins.

o Ocean Drive ($4) stayed unbeaten in three career starts when running off to an easy victory Thursday in the $111,500 Green River Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. Sand Springs was second, 4 3/4 lengths behind the winner and another 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Moonlight Sonata.