Synchrony ran a second straight top race, following up on a sharp victory in the Fair Grounds Handicap with a decisive score Saturday in the Grade 2, $300,000 Mervin Muniz Handicap.

Saving ground most of the 1 1/8-mile turf race from a pressing, then stalking position, Synchrony came outside to make his run, burst past the leaders, and beat runner-up Arklow by about 2 1/2 lengths. Longshot Zulu Alpha, who set splits of 23.67, 48.81 and 1:12.51, held third. Synchrony was timed in 1:49.59 over firm turf.

Mike Stidham trains Synchrony for Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Farm. Synchrony is a 5-year-old homebred by Tapit out of Brownie Points. He paid $8 to win as the tepid 3/1 favorite.

Forge and Lucullan both went off at 7/2, but the former quickly faltered after bidding for the lead at the top of the homestretch, while Lucullan was hampered by a poor start, and then lugged in while trying to make up ground the final furlong.