Explicit Wins True North

The complexion of the True North Handicap (gr. II) changed at the start, when Summer Note, who was unbeaten in four starts and had always showed speed, hopped at the start. Yonaguska and Explicit then were the two left on the lead, and Explicit proved best in the six-furlong race.

Explicit under Lonnie Meche, was on the outside of Yonaguska, ridden by Mike Smith, down the backside and through the turn. He took the lead in the stretch and as Yonaguska faded, easily held off Entepreneur and Late Carson.

"We were able to stay three or four lengths off the fence. That was where I wanted to be," said Meche. "I rode him with confidence, and he was there for me when I needed him. He's got so much confidence when he's out there; he's ready to take on anybody. When he pricked his ears at the eighth pole, I knew he had another gear. This was my first time here in New York, and I love it. I hope I can come back."

Following the race, Meche took a wrong turn on the way to the jockey's room and wound up in the press box.

Peeping Tom was scratched with just two minutes to post. The 12-1 shot reduced the field to seven.

Explicit is a homebred racing for Marvin Malmuth and is trained by Ian Jory. He ran second in his last start, the Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap (gr. III), after winning the Count Fleet (gr. III) and Pelleteri Breeders' Cup Handicaps. In the latter two races, Entepreneur was second in both.

Explicit cut fractions of :22.26, :45.08, :57.16, and 1:09.98. He paid $6, $3.20, and $2.60. Entepreneur returned $4.30 and $3.10, and Late Carson was worth $4.60 to show.

Explicit is a 5-year-old horse by Distant View out of the Sir Ivor mare Elegant Vicgtress. The Kentucky bred horse has won six of 24 starts.

"We're going to give him a break and bring him back in the Forego (gr. I at Saratoga in September) with the Breeders' Cup Sprint the main goal," said Jory. (Chart, Equibase)