Trained by Thomas Van Berg for owner Stone Spire, Nelson E. Clemmens, et al., the 5-year-old gelded son of West by West donned blinkers for the first time to register a 2 3/4-length triumph over Crafty Shaw, who edged Pie N Burger by a head. The 1 1/16-mile time was 1:43 2/5.

Martinez let Sonic West stalk about three lengths behind the pacesetters as Pie N Burger, carrying top weight of 119 pounds, held a narrow edge over Crafty Shaw through an opening quarter mile of :23 4/5 and the half in :47 2/5. Crafty Shaw, ridden by Craig Perret under 117 pounds, edged ahead on the turn for home after six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 as Sonic West ranged up to the leaders. He reached the lead in mid-stretch and drew away in the final sixteenth of a mile.

The Kentucky-bred Sonic West, who carried 113 pounds, won for the sixth time in 13 lifetime starts, earning $60,000. He's won $281,640.

He paid $16.80, $8.80 and $2.20 as the third choice in the field of seven. Crafty Shaw returned $5.40 and $2.20. Pie N Burger's show was $2.20. The $2 exacta was worth $72.20.