Wildwood Kantharos controls pace in Purple Violet

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Hollarforadollar looked like the controlling speed in the $53,700 Purple Violet Stakes at Arlington, but she was scratched on Saturday, leaving the front end – and the race itself – to Wildwood Kantharos, who made an easy lead under Chris Emigh and never was threatened, beating Lovely Island by 1 1/2 lengths in the one-mile Polytrack race for Illinois-bred 3-year-olds.

Trained by Scott Becker for owner William Stiritz, Wildwood Kantharos was making the ninth start of her career, more than any of her rivals, and trying Polytrack for the first time after four starts this spring and summer at Fairmount Park, which Stiritz owns. She shot straight to the front, set moderate splits of 23.80 and 47.56 seconds, and never looked back. Her big lead shrank in the final furlong, but late-running Lovely Island never looked a winner while 2 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Speak Up Sailor, the 2-1 favorite.

Wildwood Kantharos, by Kantharos, was timed in 1:39.65 for the mile and paid $17 to win.