Zayat Stables' Justin Phillip rallied in the stretch to win the $250,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park April 13 (VIDEO) .
Justin Phillip, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred horse by First Samurai , finished a solid fifth in last year's Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, and in his last start got back in the winning groove with a handy allowance victory in his Oaklawn debut. Ricardo Santana Jr.rode Justin Phillip in his two Oaklawn races.
The Count Fleet featured an early front-end duel between previously undefeated Gentlemen's Bet and Picko's Pride through fractions of :21.68 for an opening quarter-mile and :44.65 for a half-mile on a fast track. Justin Phillip reeled in the leaders in the stretch and ran by to win in 1:09.63 for six furlongs.
Justin Phillip, who paid $4.40 to win as the favorite for trainer Steve Asmussen, won by three-quarters of a length over Picko's Pride. Gentleman's Bet finished third, two lengths behind Picko's Pride.
Justin Phillip, a 5-year-old horse out of Ava Knowsthecode, was bred in Kentucky by Overbrook Farm.
