Rivers Run Deep much the best in Babst/Palacios Handicap

Rivers Run Deep looked like by far the fastest horse on paper and that’s exactly how things played out on the track in Saturday’s $75,000 Edward Babst/Albert Palacios Handicap, the first stakes of the season at Belterra Park.

Despite spotting his competition between eight and 15 pounds as the 128-pound highweight, Rivers Run Deep ($2.20) cruised to an easy nine-length victory, covering six furlongs in 1:09.48. Rivers Run Deep was able to pull away after contesting quick early fractions of 21.66 and 44.61 seconds.

The 4-year-old Rivers Run Deep, ridden by Chris Landeros for trainer Chris Hartman, is now 4 for 4 at Belterra, all stakes restricted to Ohio-breds. He returned to the statebred ranks following a solid four-race campaign at Oaklawn Park, posting a win and three seconds in high-priced optional claimers.

Silver Tongued, a stakes winner going 1 1/4 miles last season, was a clear second. Smoke Em Charlie finished third at 12-1.