Runnin'toluvya passes distance test in Breeders Classic

Runnin'toluvya broke runnin' and never looked back in the $300,000 West Virginia Breeders Classic at Charles Town on Saturday night en route to a 2 1/4-length victory, his seventh on the year from eight starts.

The Classic was Runnin'toluvya's first career start beyond seven furlongs and the question was whether he could carry his speed the distance against North Atlantic, who came into the race 5 for 7 on the season and who had only missed winning the 1 1/8-mile Classic by a nose in 2017.

Although there were 10 horses in the field, gamblers bet the race as if there were only two, with Runnin'toluvya going off at even money and North Atlantic 7-5.

While North Atlantic has speed, he is not as quick as Runnin'toluvya, who went right to the lead under jockey Oscar Flores. North Atlantic settled into fourth position as Arnaldo Bocachica shrewdly took him to the rail to save ground in the three-turn race.

Rocket Road, who was unruly at the starting gate, tracked Runnin'toluvya early while Via Leone raced forwardly in third.

Rocket Road was the first to fold and Via Leone began to pack it in nearing the final bend, at which point North Atlantic was asked for his best. While he tried hard, he could never quite reach Runnin'toluvya, who kept finding more.

Runnin'toluvya paid $4 and covered the nine furlongs in 1:52.05. Runnin'toluvya, who is owned and trained by Timothy Grams, is now 9 for 13 with earnings of $198,000. He got a Beyer Speed Figure of 89 for Saturday's race.

It was 3 1/4 lengths back from North Atlantic to Weekend Liberty in third.

Distaff: T Rex Express leads throughout

T Rex Express popped to the lead in the $75,000 Breeders Classic Distaff and controlled the 1 1/8-mile race throughout, scoring by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths.

The win was the second in a stakes on the card for trainer Jeff Runco, who sent out the exacta in the Triple Crown Nutrition for 2-year-old fillies.

T Rex Express paid $5.40 as the favorite in the 10-horse field. She went quick early and then slower late, but it didn't matter. She was timed in 1:54.81.

T Rex Express, who is owned by David Rain, is now 11 for 27.

Scottish Denis finished willingly for second. Groomed to Rock was third.