Kid Cruz gets it done in Dwyer Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Post time favorite Kid Cruz, coupled with Captain Serious, caught his entrymate down the stretch to capture Saturday's $200,000 Dwyer Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park.

Trained by Linda Rice, Kid Cruz broke from the inside post in the 1 1/16-mile stakes as the 7-10 favorite. His entrymate Captain Serious set the pace closely followed by 8-5 second choice Tiz Dark and 31-1 longshot Gaining Ground. Kid Cruz, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., was racing several lengths off the leaders in fourth.

Kid Cruz found room along the rail on the final turn to move into second behind Captain Serious. At the top of the stretch, Kid Cruz moved off the inside for racing room as he began his effort to catch his entrymate.

Kid Cruz kept coming after Captain Serious down the stretch and was able to post a three-quarter length win over the previously undefeated gelding. Ulanbator was third followed by Spot, Tiz Dark and Gaining Ground.

The time for the Dwyer was 1:41.12 on a fast track.

"This horse seems to be getting better all the time - perfecting his trade," said Rice of Kid Cruz. "We've got Saratoga coming up, and I'm very excited about that. Obviously he's got to meet each goal, and today was a big one. These are tough races at Belmont Park and he got through unscathed. I think he qualifies to go to Saratoga and hopefully point for the Jim Dandy (July 26) and the Travers (August 23)."

Owned by Vina Del Mar Thoroughbreds and Black Swan Stable, Kid Cruz pocketed $115,000 with Saturday's win. The colt has earned $363,375 with five wins in eight career starts.

Kid Cruz came into the Dwyer off a victory on Belmont Stakes Day in the Easy Goer Stakes. Ortiz was aboard when Kid Cruz overcame a bad start in winning the Easy Goer by 3 1/4 lengths. The colt posted wins this year in the Private Terms and Federico Tesio Stakes in Maryland before an eighth-place finish in the Preakness.

Kid Cruz returned $3.40, $2.70 and $2.10. Captain Serious paid $3.40, $2.70 and $2.10, and Ulanbator paid $3.20 to show.