Wild Cycle takes WTBA Lads Stakes

AUBURN, Wash. - Wild Cycle registered a stunning upset in Saturday's $65,000 WTBA Lads Stakes at Emerald Downs, forging to the front in the upper stretch and holding off the late bid of stablemate Pirates Deputy to prevail by a neck in 1:37 for the mile.

Wild Cycle, a 2-year-old son of Free At Last who races for Frank Gaunt, paid $96.40 to win as the fourth-longest priced horse in a field of 12. Wild Cycle broke from the extreme outside under rider Juan Gutierrez and raced wide around both turns, but persevered to win for the second time in four starts. He earned $32,175 and provided trainer Aubrey Villyard, who also saddled the runner-up, with his first stakes win at the meeting.