Tonalist wins Cigar

Tonalist rallied down the center of the track to beat stablemate Red Vine by a neck Saturday in the $500,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Christophe Clement trained the first two finishers in the final Grade 1 stakes of the year in New York. It was a strong rebound effort by Tonalist, beaten by 121/2 lengths by American Pharoah in his previous effort, the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. Fifth for most of the race, Tonalist and jockey John Velazquez stormed home to cap another productive campaign by the 2014 Belmont Stakes winner. The 4-year-old also posted a repeat victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. His status for 2016 is undecided. The biggest surprise was defending champion Private Zone, who set the pace as usual. The runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint faded in the lane, finishing fifth as the 6-5 favorite. Tonalist, the 2-1 second choice, paid $6.40, $3.70 and $2.70. Red Vine split rivals in the lane to get second, returning $4.50 and $3.30. Matrooh paid $4.80 to show. The Cigar Mile was supported by three $300,000 stakes. Mohaymen won the Remsen for 2-year-olds, continuing his emergence as a Triple Crown contender next spring. A $2.2 million yearling purchase, the gray colt improved to 3 for 3 with a 11/2-length victory over Thrilled. Mohaymen paid $5.10 to win. Lewis Bay took the Demoiselle, the companion event for 2-year-old fillies, by 13/4 lengths over Thrilled. She paid $4.10 to win. Forever Unbridled beat Carrumba by a head in the Comely for 3-year-old fillies, returning $11.40 for her first victory of the season.