Cleopatra's Strike ($20.60) wore down pacesetter Acclimate in the final furlong to post a 9-1 upset in the Grade 2, $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship for older runners on Saturday at Del Mar, giving trainer Phil D'Amato a one-two finish in the 1 1/4-mile race.

Cleopatra's Strike, under Abel Cedillo, poked his head in front a furlong out, had to turn bad a resurgent Acclimate near the sixteenth pole, then came away late to prevail by one length. United, the 2-1 favorite, plugged along for third after an ideal ride from Flavien Prat.

Cleopatra's Strike was timed in 1:58.22 on the firm course. The program erroneously lists Marckie's Water as having the course record of 2:00.95. In fact, this was not a course record. Red Giant was timed in 1:57.16 winning this race in 2008.

Cleopatra's Strike, a 6-year-old gelding, is owned by Slam Dunk Racing and Michael Nentwig.

This was only his third start on this circuit and only second since January. He was narrowly beaten in a second-level allowance at Del Mar on Sept. 2. The win was the fourth in 25 starts for Cleopatra's Strike, who has finished second nine times.

Steve Andersen will have a full recap up in a bit at www.drf.com