Riker remains unbeaten with Grey triumph

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The unbeaten Riker could be Breeders’ Cup-bound after his front-running triumph Sunday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Grey Stakes at Woodbine.

Riker ($4) went straight to the front in the 1 1/16-mile route and set moderate fractions under Jesse Campbell, while the European import Kasseopia took up the chase.

Riker maintained a daylight lead while drifting out a little in the stretch and got home on top by 1 1/2 lengths over Kasseopia in a quick time of 1:44.31. Tizzarunner rallied for third and was followed by Van Damme and Ruck.

“He’s usually very quiet, and he was today, but he got a little warm,” said Campbell. “He wasn’t antsy in the gate, but he was ready to leave there. He’s getting faster and stronger, and that’s where it’s coming from. Before we went into the turn, he was very relaxed, but he lost his bearings a little on the first turn. He did come back to me fairly quick, and he really sprinted home. This race impressed me the most of all his races.”

The Nick Gonzalez-trained Riker earned $90,000 for Carlo and Lou Tucci’s Tucci Stable. They indicated after race they plan to run Riker back in a Breeders’ Cup event.