Venetian Mask upsets Modern in John Longden Stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Venetian Mask paid $17.60 for his two-length win over the 5-2 favorite Modern in the $50,000 John Longden at Hastings Monday.

With Jeff Burningham aboard, Venetian Mask broke sharply in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up but was eased off the pace while Modern, who broke poorly, went to the front and posted a moderate half-mile time of 48.23. Venetian Mask was between horses until just past the quarter pole when he started to make a strong move along the rail. He moved outside of Modern turning for home and won going away.

Modern was game in defeat. After getting away slowly, he rushed up to take the lead heading into the first turn and tried to fight back when Venetian Mask collared him in midstretch. Bistraya came from a stalking position to finish a non-threatening third.

The final time was 1:44.23.

“Once we got into the clear on the stretch turn I was pretty confident we were going to win,” said Burningham. “Modern was starting to tire and my horse was just revving up.”

A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred by Pulpit, Venetian Mask is trained by Mike Anderson.

It was the first stakes win for Venetian Mask as well as for his owner, George Morgan.