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Utopia reigns in Westchester Godolphin Stable's UTOPIA (Jpn) (Forty Niner) pressed the pacesetters during Wednesday's $107,700 Westchester H. (G3) on the opening day card of Belmont Park's spring/summer meet, and rallied in deep stretch to get the length victory under Mike Luzzi while making his U.S. debut. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained seven-year-old stopped the clock in 1:33 1/5 on the fast dirt, paying out $6.80, $3.90 and $2.60 as the near 5-2 co-second choice. Political Force (Unbridled's Song) was never far back of the winner, but played bumping games with Sun King (Charismatic) in the stretch before taking second by a half-length over that rival. The stewards took a dim view of Political Force's shenanigans and disqualified him from second to third, promoting Sun King to the runner-up spot in the process. Sun King was worth $3 and $2.10 as the 3-2 favorite, while Political Force gave back $2.10 at nearly 5-2. The exotics returned $16 (exacta) and $33.20 (6-4-3 trifecta). Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) and Happy Hunting (Seeking the Gold) completed the order of finish while Park Avenue Ball (Citidancer) was withdrawn. Utopia, a Group 1 winner in his native Japan, captured the Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) on 2006 Dubai World Cup Day in his last race. Acquired by his current connections following the Godolphin Mile, the chestnut horse now owns seven stakes scores, pushed his massive earnings to $4,887,885 with this win and his line to 32-9-4-3. Bred by Northern Farm, Utopia is out of the Northern Taste mare Dream Vision, who has also produced multiple Group 3 winner Aloha Dream (Creator). Rick Mettee, assistant to bin Suroor, mentioned both the May 28 Met Mile (G1) and the Suburban (G1) on June 30, but said that they would "play it by ear" in determining Utopia's next start.
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