Mongolian Groom ($52.80) led throughout Saturday's Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes to record a surprise win in the $300,000 race.

The victory was a milestone for jockey Abel Cedillo, his first in a race at the highest level. Cedillo won his first graded stakes at Santa Anita earlier in the day with a win on Cleopatra's Strike in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship

Mongolian Groom was challenged by 1-5 favorite McKinzie in early stretch, but repelled the challenge of that runner to win by 2 1-4 lengths, finishing 1 1-8 miles in 1:49.27.

Higher Power, who stumbled at the start, finished third, beaten 7 1-2 lengths. Seeking the Soul was fourth, followed by Draft Pick and Isotherm.

Mongolian Groom, a 4-year-old gelding by Hightail, races for owner and trainer Enebish Ganbat. The Awesome Again was his biggest win since Mongolian Saturday won the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland.