Archidust Up Late to Win Wolf Hill

OCEANSIDE, NJ – Crawford Farms Racing’s Archidust got up in the late stages to overtake American Sailor and win Saturday’s $75,000 Wolf Hill Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Archidust was the 2.7/1 narrow second choice in the field of 11 and had the riding services of Hector Diaz, Jr. After exiting post 6, he sat in third while American Sailor strode off to a multiple-length early lead.

At the top of the stretch, American Sailor looked like he might run off and pull the 8/1 upset, but Archidust gobbled up ground the length of the stretch and swept to the lead at the 1/16 pole. The Steve Asmussen trainee eventually crossed 1 1/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:01.26 for the 5 1/2-furlong firm turf sprint.

American Sailor was 2 lengths ahead of Shekky Shebaz, who survived a stewards’ inquiry regarding his contact with another rival in mid-stretch.

Snowday, Smart Remark, Coop Tries Harder, Singanothersong, Dubini, Regally Irish, Nice Tune, and Three Rules completed the order of finish.

Lonhtwist and The Critical Way were scratched.

Archidust’s win was his fourth at the stakes level and improved his overall record to 13-6-1-3. The 4-year-old Verrazano colt has now earned $308,400.

Archidust returned $7.40 to win, $4.60 to place, and $3.20 to show. American Sailor brought back $8.20 to place and $5.60 to show, while Shekky Shebaz paid $3 to show.