New York Central got a ground saving trip and then rallied along the rail through the lane to get up in time and capture the Grade 3, $150,000 Maryland Sprint for older runners on Saturday at Pimlico.

Ricardo Santana Jr. had New York Central just behind early leaders Lewisfield and Wentz, and when those two drifted off the rail in upper stretch, Santana seized the opportunity. New York Central got through inside and out-finished Proforma for the win. He was best by 1 3/4 lengths while covering six furlongs on the fast main track in 1:08.74.

He is the second horse in the past 24 hours to eclipse the previous track record of 1:09 set by Northern Wolf in 1990. Covfefe holds the new mark, 1:07.70, set Friday. But that shows how fast the track is playing.

Proforma beat Lewisfield by a half-length for second. Wentz faded to fourth, then came Fellowship and Pride of Nations. Always Sunshine was scratched.

Steve Asmussen trains New York Central, who had finished fifth in the Commonwealth at Keeneland in his last start. He has now won four times in nine starts, but this was his first stakes win.

New York Central, 4, is a son of Tapit who was bred by SF Racing and is owned by SF Racing in partnership with WinStar Farm and China Horse Club.

Jim Dunleavy will have a full recap up in a bit at www.drf.com