Favored Zafonic Surges to Win 2,000 Guineas

NEWMARKET, England —  Zafonic surged from last to first and scored a record-setting victory Saturday in the 2,000 Guineas, the second race of English racing’s classic series.

Zafonic’s time for the mile was 1 minute 35.32 seconds, the fastest in the 185-year history of the mile race.

Zafonic, the odds-on favorite, was last in the field of 15 halfway through the race, with Silver Wizard setting a fast pace under Lester Piggott.

Jockey Pat Eddery moved the 3-year-old colt to the outside and made his drive with about a quarter of a mile to go.

Zafonic, owned by Arabian prince Khaled Abdulla, won by 3 1/2 lengths, beating 10-1 shot Barathea. Bin Ajwaad, a 66-1 shot, finished third and Silver Wizard was sixth.