Woodbine: Mobil wires field

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Mobil got away with a pedestrian pace and turned back challenges from Strizzi and Moonshine Hall in the stretch to capture the Grade 3 Toronto Cup Handicap for 3-year-olds at Woodbine.

With a strong wind at his back and Todd Kabel riding, Mobil set fractions of 24.41 seconds and 48.20 in the nine-furlong turf race. Moonshine Hall and Strizzi both rallied wide, and Moonshine Hall poked his head in front briefly approaching the eighth pole before Mobil kicked in through the final furlong and prevailed by a length.

Strizzi overhauled Moonshine Hall in deep stretch to end up second, while Tracy's Tonka Toy finished fourth in the six-horse field. The final time was 1:49.15 over a course rated good.

"There was no speed in the race," said Kabel, "so we were able to set the pace, and do what we wanted to do. Turning for home, I let him drift out a little, to enable him see the horses running at him. He showed he was the best horse in the race."

Mobil ($3.80) earned $98,460 of the $164,100 purse for owner Gustav Schickedanz and trainer Mike Keogh.