True Metropolitan takes the fifth

Vancouver invader True Metropolitan became the front-runner for this year's Sovereign Award as Canada's champion older horse by winning his fifth consecutive race Saturday in the Grade 3, $150,400 .

As expected, Just Rushing and favored Barracuda Boy dueled up front through fractions of 24.13 seconds, 47.09, and 1:11.84 in the 1 1/16-mile event. True Metropolitan commenced his rally in unison with Edenwold going into the far turn, and made the lead at the quarter pole before drawing off for a four-length victory.

Edenwold, this year's Queen's Plate winner, finished second, a length clear of a closing Eccentric. Pellegrino, Just Rushing, and Barracuda Boy completed the order of finish.

"He's a very competitive, very versatile horse," said Todd Kabel, who rode True Metropolitan for trainer Terry Jordan. "You can do anything that you want with him, and he showed that today. He beat the best horses here, and did it with authority."

True Metropolitan ($11.80) completed the distance in 1:44.88. He earned $90,000 for owner Bob Cheema, which boosted his bankroll to $446,305.