Woodbine: Just Rushing prevails

Just Rushing defeated a solid group of turf runners in the Grade 2, $215,600 Play the King Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Just Rushing, under Jim McAleney, tracked the dueling leaders, Off Duty and Disfunction, on the outside through fractions of 23.33 and 45.52 seconds in the seven-furlong event. He hit the front early in the stretch, and put away Off Duty at the eighth pole before holding off Wollemi Pine en route to a 1 1/4-length score. Off Duty faded to third, and favored Tam Lin finished ninth in the 11-horse field.

Just Rushing, trained by Sid Attard, was clocked in 1:19.77, which wasn't far off the course record of 1:19.38.

"Sid said that he's ready and he's good," said McAleney. "The way he ran the last two times, I thought if he could get the lead, he would show his class, and he did."

Just Rushing ($19.70) banked $132,000 for Tucci Stable.

Mine That Bird ($22.60) came wide from fifth to capture Saturday's supporting feature, the $100,400 Silver Deputy Stakes for 2-year-olds.

Mine That Bird, ridden by Chantal Sutherland for trainer Dave Cotey, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.49. Oconee finished second, and favored Dryden wound up third in the six-horse field.