Nkosi Reigns held off Big Lover to score (Jim Lisa Photos)

Starting from the far outside post with jockey Jeffery Sanchez, the dark bay gelding broke cleanly and quickly jumped out to an unexpected lead, never looking back. Angled to the inside and setting fractions of :23 4/5, :48, 1:12 2/5 and 1:38 2/5, Nkosi Reigns held a clear advantage until the stretch. Big Lover (Ecton Park) then chased the leader hard inside the final furlong, only to come up a length short as Nkosi Reigns met the wire first in 1:45 2/5.

"He kind of dragged the rider up to the lead on his own without much urging," trainer Ron Spatz said. "He's a nervous horse, so it couldn't have gone any better (with him alone on the lead)."

Going off at 7-2, Nkosi Reigns rewarded backers with a payday of $16.20, $7.40 and $3.40. Big Lover paid $4.60 and $3.20, rounding out the $74.60 exacta. Rehoboth (Wagon Limit) showed up at 4-1 odds, giving back $3.40 and ending the $282.80 trifecta. The  9-1-2-8 superfecta increased bank accounts with a payout of $2,041.20. Finishing the field were Bob's Proud Moment (Proud and True), Supervisor (Skip Trial), Mister Fotis (Diligence), Dazzling Dr. Cevin (Cutlass Fax) and Siphon City (Siphon [Brz]). Maraquero (Comeonmom) was scratched.