Wando wins Vandal

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Wando established himself as the leading Woodbine-based Canadian-bred 2-year-old with a runaway victory in Sunday's $164,550 Vandal Stakes.

Wando dueled with Biddy's Lad through splits of :22.29 seconds and :45.72 in the six-furlong dash, which was pared down to a four-horse field with the scratches of Frankiefourfinger, Goldies Legacy, Magic Jack and Mr. Believable.

Wando kicked clear at the head of the stretch, and drew off for a 7-3/4-length score in a time of 1:11.90 seconds. Snake Pit finished second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Shipman.

"I really didn't want to be as close to the pace as I was," said Richard Dos Ramos, who rode Wando. "He just took me there, so I decided to let him run his own race. When I chirped to him at the head of the lane, he picked up the bridle and went on his way."

Wando, now unbeaten in two starts, returned $4.20 as the favorite, and banked $103,667 for owner Gustav Schickedanz and trainer Mike Keogh.