Woodbine: Krz Ruckus pulls clear

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Krz Ruckus outran five-furlong track record holder Olympian to capture the $108,000 Briartic Handicap, the opening day feature of the Woodbine meeting.

Krz Ruckus and Olympian dueled up front throughout the five-furlong sprint, setting fractions of 21.52 and 44.38 seconds over the sloppy going. Krz Ruckus began to edge away in the final sixteenth to prevail by a length in 57.26 seconds.

Davids Expectations rallied to finish another three-quarters of a length back in third, a half-length in front of 9-5 favorite Wake at Noon, last year's Canadian Horse of the Year.

Krz Ruckus ($8.50) earned $64,800 for owners Ron Guidolin and partners. It was the second winner on the card for the combination of trainer Mike DePaulo and jockey Dino Luciani, who won three on the day.

"He broke very well, and was more than happy to be on the lead," said Luciani of Krz Ruckus, who added blinkers for the race.