Perkins Continues Success in Capossela Stakes

Ben Perkins Jr. saddled the winner of Aqueduct's Fred ``Cappy'' Capossela Stakes for the third year in a row and fourth time overall when Char-Mari Stable's Spin Zone won by three lengths on Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day card.

Spin Zone, a 3-year-old son of Wild Zone who led from start to finish in the $79,650 race, was followed by President Butler, with War Native 5 3/4 lengths back in third.

Perkins' other Capossela winners were Forest Heir last year, Max's Pal in 2000 and Stalker in 1990.

It was the third win in six career starts--the first in a money-added race-- for Spin Zone, who was ridden by Javier Castellano. Spin Zone, who was challenged briefly by Pharaoah's Cat (who eventually finished last), covered six furlongs on the fast track in 1:10 1/5.

Spin Zone earned $47,790 and returned $4.20, $3.10 and $2.10. President Butler paid $4.70 and $2.40, and War Native was $2.40 to show.

Formerly the Swift Stakes, the race for three-year-olds was re-named in memory of New York's legendary track announcer in 1993. Although it has served as the first step on New York's road to the Triple Crown, the race has also produced some to sprinters.

Perkins said Spin Zone's future lies with the latter rather than the former style of running.

"He's a push-button horse," Perkins said. "We'll probably keep him sprinting. He's a very fast horse, and he's bred to sprint. I trained his sire, Wild Zone, and he was a very fast horse, too. But this horse looks better. Wild Zone was a smallish, blocky horse."

"I like the horse," Castellano said. "I worked him a few days ago, and he went very well. I knew he would be ready for this. I have to thank the owner for giving me the opportunity to ride this horse. I rode him last time for (trainer) John Kimmel, and I wasn't sure if they would ask me to ride again, since they changed trainers. He broke in front and when I asked him, he responded nicely."

(Chart, Equibase)