The Critical Way, starting on turf and for a claiming price for the first time, won Saturday's sixth race on the hillside turf course in the first leg of a 50-cent pick four that drew a pool of $912,626.

The pool was the third highest for the 50-cent late pick four in the first 11 racing days of the meeting.

Owned and trained by Mick Ruis, The Critical Way has wn 3 of 5 starts, including the Danzig Stakes for Pennsylvania-breds at Penn National last June. A 4-year-old gelding, The Critical Way was ridden by Corey Nakatani.

The Critical Way was arguably not best in the race. Zuri Chop, who finished fifth as the 5-2 favorite, raced in traffic on the rail in the stretch and was unable to extend his stride.