by Tim Nichols

Rosberg made up more than six lengths in the final three furlongs to complete a last-to-first rally in the $87,660 Premier’s Stakes (Can-G3) on Sunday at Hastings Race Course.

Accelerating from well off the pace, Rosberg unleashed a powerful turn of foot in the final furlong to deny Krazy Koffee his sixth consecutive victory. A seven-year-old A.P. Indy horse, Rosberg completed the 1 3/8-mile race in 2:17.98 on a track rated as fast.

Two-time Canadian champion True Metropolitan controlled the pace early as he clipped off fractions of :24.27, :46.98, and 1:11.61 through six furlongs. Spaghetti Mouse stalked from second and Rosberg trailed the six-horse field.

Spaghetti Mouse, a multiple Grade 3 winner who has competed exclusively at the Vancouver track throughout his entire career, overtook True Metropolitan approaching the quarter pole. Krazy Koffee, who was rated in third throughout the first mile, made his move on the turn and reeled in Spaghetti Mouse at the top of the stretch.

Krazy Koffee extended his lead to three lengths over Rosberg in early stretch, but the seven-year-old mounted his late charge under Francisco Fuentes. Rosberg collared Krazy Koffee in the final yards to score his first North American win in more than five years.

Third-place finisher Spaghetti Mouse finished 2½ lengths behind Krazy Koffee.

Originally a $1.5-million purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale by John Ferguson for Darley Stable, Rosberg halted a four-race winless stretch dating back to a win in a handicap race at Nad al Sheba racecourse in Dubai on February 21.

Rosberg was purchased privately by Swift Thoroughbreds following a sixth-place finish in the Opening Verse Handicap on May 31 at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Dino Condilenios, Rosberg has won five of 16 career starts and earned $247,723.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Tim Nichols is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY assistant editor