Exhi , winner of the Lexington Stakes (gr. II) in April, thoroughly dominated his three rivals in the $144,795 Victoria Park Stakes (VIDEO) June 27 at Woodbine, extending his victory streak to four races.
Wertheimer and Frere's 3-year-old Kentucky homebred son of Maria's Mon--Soldera, by Polish Numbers, scored a front-running eight-length triumph as the 1-5 favorite in the short field. The Todd Pletcher trainee completed the 1 1/8-mile Polytrack event in a solid 1:50.60.
Exhi, carrying top weight of 124 pounds, broke quickly and set a reserved pace (:24.06, :47.80 and 1:12.23) for jockey Robby Albarado. The bay colt responded when challenged on the far turn by Bear's Hard Ten, stretching his one length advantage to 5 1/2 mid-stretch. He widened from there under a hand ride.
The winner came into the Victoria Park off a 4 1/2-length triumph over another short field of 3-year-olds at Woodbine in the Marine Stakes May 29. He also won the Lexington and the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park during his current streak, all on synthetic tracks. He has captured four of five starts in 2010, his lone loss coming in a second-place finish in an allowance on dirt at Tampa Bay Downs in February.
“(Exhi) broke really sharp and being on the outside post, I was able to dictate on what I wanted to do,” said Albarado. “He went very easy in the first quarter, he got a bit anxious in the second quarter, but in the middle of the backside he relaxed well and came home nice.”
Exhi paid $2.50 and $2.10 and topped a $6.30 exacta. Gold Medallion, who returned $3 with Javier Castellano aboard, finished a clear second by 4 3/4 lengths over Bear's Hard Ten and Eurico Da Silva. There was no show wagering.
Village Drive trailed throughout. So Elite was scratched by the stewards.
Exhi thoroughly dominated his three rivals in the Victoria Park Stakes at Woodbine.
