Smart Growth circles field in Stymie

Smart Growth, bet from 4-1 on the morning line to 7-5 favorite, rallied from last in a field of six to win the $54,000 Stymie by 3 1/2 lengths Saturday at Delaware Park.

Smart Growth circled rivals on the far turn, took the lead a furlong out, and won going away.

Confucius Say, the 5-2 third choice, stalked the early pace, grabbed the lead with three furlongs left, and had no answer for Smart Growth while holding second by a half-length over 12-1 Diamond David. Second choice Angelic Aura was well-placed early but faded in the drive, finishing fifth.

Trained by Jonathan Sheppard and ridden by Ramon Dominguez, Smart Growth ran the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in a slow 1:51.20. In his previous start, Smart Growth had run fourth, three lengths behind Angelic Aura, in the Kelso at Delaware on Sept. 30.