Strait From Texas takes Nassau

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Longshot Strait From Texas mounted a strong stretch rally to capture the Grade 2 at Woodbine Sunday.

Strait From Texas raced well off a hot pace in the mile and a sixteenth test for fillies and mares. Mulrainy set fractions of :23.17 and :46.08 seconds while being stalked by One for Rose and Chopinina. The latter duo took over on the far turn, through three-quarters in 1:10.09, while Strait From Texas commenced a three-wide rally under Richard Dos Ramos.

Strait From Texas took dead aim at the leaders in the stretch, and overhauled a game Chopinina at the sixteenth pole before edging away to win by a half-length. Byzantine closed to finish another three lengths back in third, while favored Hot Talent was seventh in the nine-horse field of fillies and mares. Mariensky was scratched.

The final time, over a course rated good, was 1:42.92.

Dos Ramos said he simply followed instructions from trainer Paul Buttigieg.

"Paul basically told me that she'll come running if you don't keep her close to the pace," Dos Ramos explained. "She just loved the turf course today."

Strait From Texas ($43.50) earned $166,920 of the $296,700 purse for owner James Michael.