Speightster tops Texas Red in Dwyer Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Speightster secured his third win in as many career starts as he defeated Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red in Saturday's $500,000 Dwyer Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park.

Texas Red, in his first start since Feb. 1, went off as the 19-10 favorite in the seven-horse field for the mile stakes. Speightster, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Jose Lezcano, was the 2-1 second pick as he was making his stakes debut.

Speightster broke well from post 6 and pressed the pace being set by 41-1 longshot Hollywood Angel. Texas Red was sixth up the backstretch but quickly moved into contention on the far turn.

Owned by WinStar Farm, Speightster had the lead coming out of the final turn as Texas Red and jockey Kent Desormeaux rallied wide into third. At the top of the stretch, Speightster had a short lead over Texas Red who appeared primed to take the lead.

However, Speightster proved too strong down the stretch and went on to post a 2 1/2-length win over Texas Red with Tommy Macho third followed by Smart Transition, Blofeld, Hollywood Angel and Bridget's Big Luvy.

The time for the Dwyer was 1:35.13 on a fast track.

Speightster is perfect in three lifetime starts and earned $275,000 for winning his first stakes. The chestnut colt has now banked $363,800.

Speightster began his career with a maiden victory at Keeneland on April 17 followed by an allowance win at Belmont four weeks ago.

Speightster retunred $6.50, $3.60 and $2.70. Texas Red paid $3.40 and $2.40, and Tommy Macho paid $2.90 to show.