DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Strong Wind took an early lead and pulled away to beat Just Call Me Al by 4 1/4 lengths Wednesday at Del Mar in the $100,000 Graduation Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds.
The favorite, Law Dog, came out of the gate first, but stumbled, clearing the way for Strong Wind. Ridden by Kevin Krigger, Strong Wing ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.14 and paid $8, $3.60 and $2.60.
Just Call Me Al returned $2.80 and $2.20, and Lovmeister paid $2.80 to show.
Law Dog recovered from the stumble and got as close as second, but was eased down the stretch.
A son of Tribal Rule trained by Steve Knapp, Strong Wind earned $57,000 for his second in five starts to push his career total to $105,360.
