Out of My Way came from just off the pace to capture Saturday's $100,000 Arlington Sprint by three lengths. Bright Valour was up to gain the place, finishing a neck to the good of third place finisher Deer Lake."It always great thrill to win a race," said winning trainer Gene Cilio. "It's even better to win a stakes. But, when you've bred a horse, watched him grow up, and he wins a race like this, that's something special." Peter Cappas, the Founders Group and Crown's Way Farm owns Out of My Way.Content to track the pace through brisk fractions of 22.65, and 45.80, winning jockey Curt Bourque kept his mount out of trouble, racing three wide most of the race. He grabbed the lead turning from home and never looked back. "I couldn't let the front runners (Distinction and Deer Lake) get away from me early," said Bourque. "He's a hard-knocking horse who got beat a nose in his last, a dirty nose, but it happens. I just sat on him early and, turning for home, I just moved my hands on him a couple of times and he went on about his business" "Last year he had some problems and he tried my patience an awful lot," added Cilio, "But I knew he had the heart to come back and he has made us all very proud. " The winner covered the six-furlong distance in 1:09.82 after early fractions of 22.65, 45.80, and 57.32 were posted.
Out of My Way, the favorite in the race, paid $6.40, $3.60, and $2.60. Bright Valour, getting up for second in the final yards, paid $6.00 and $3.00. Deer Lake, held on for third after setting the early pace, paid $2.60 to show. (Chart, Equibase)
