BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Making his first start since finishing second to It’s a Fact in the US$36,013 Birdcatcher at Century Mile on Oct. 29, Florida-bred Cuban Cobra started his 2023 campaign with a two-and-a-quarter-length score in US$36,862 Western Canada Handicap Saturday night.

Ridden for the first time by Dane Nelson for new trainer Gonzalo Anderson, who owns Cuban Cobra with Crystal Cates, Cuban Cobra led from start to finish to win for the fourth time in six career starts while carrying the co-highweight of 122 pounds. He covered the six furlongs in 1:09.88 after setting quarter-mile splits of :22.10 and :44.80 with a two-length margin most of the way.

Odds-on favorite American Blaze was second followed by Readytotapnsing, Flashin Aces, Mohamad, Money Muncher and It’s A Fact.

Cuban Cobra paid $5 to win as the second choice.

It was also the third career stakes victory for the 3-year-old son of Flat Out out of A E Phi Sensation, by Johannesburg who also won the US$38,619 Canadian Juvenile in August at Century Mile and the US$37,874 Winnipeg Futurity in September at Assiniboia Downs. His only other career loss came when second to Readytotapnsing in the US$39,042 Martin Dearline Juvenile at Century Mile in July.

Cuban Corbra is the second black-type winner for A E Phi Sensation, who also produced 2021 Century Mile Handicap and Don Getty Handicap-winner Greek Geek, by Misremembered. She has produced four winners from four starters and has an unnamed yearling filly by Sungold.

Cuban Cobra was bred in Florida by Moonshine Meadow Ranch and he has now earned $94,567 in his six career starts.