North East Bound (middle), shown finishing second to Del Mar Show in the Fort Lauderdale Handicap.
North East Bound set a moderate pace then bounded away in the stretch to win the $145,500 Canadian Turf Handicap by 4 3/4 lengths on the good main track at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Under Jose Velez Jr., North East Bound completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.01.Originally scheduled for the turf course, five horses were scratched as a result of the surface switch, including 6-5 morning-line favorite Hap.Capsized finished second, 5 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Flying Avie, with Galic Boy last of the four remaining starters.Also due to the surface switch, the race is automatically downgraded form grade III to listed status. The original grade may be reinstated at a later date after review by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.The 6-5 favorite, North East Bound returned $4.40 and $2.60. Capsized paid $3.40 and completed the $15.80 exacta. There was no show wagering due to the short field.A 6-year-old gelded son of D'Accord, North East Bound earned $90,000 for the win, his 12th in 35 starts. The victory ends a two-race string of second-place finishes which began in the Appleton Handicap (gr. IIT) and continued in the Fort Lauderdale Handicap (gr. IIIT). William Perry trains North East Bound for owners Julian Demarco and Richard Disano. Scott E. Ricker, Demarco and Disano bred North East Bound in Kentucky. (Chart, Equibase)
