Taking advantage of a swift early pace and a four-pound break in the weights, longshot Highland Strike came on late under Jose Espinoza to beat 9-5 favorite Terreavigne by a half-length in yesterday’s Mount Vernon Handicap at Belmont Park.

Trained by Dick DeStasio, Highland Strike ran the 11/8 miles over the inner turf course in 1:47.1. She paid $22.40, combining with Terreavigne for a $63.50 exacta.

Dancewiththebride, loose on the early lead under Mike Smith, set fast fractions of :23.2 for the first quarter-mile, :46.1 for the half and 1:09.4 for six furlongs. Terreavigne, the 122-pound highweight, took up the chase on the far turn and surged to the lead in midstretch.

But Highland Strike, who was sixth early, came on strong down the center of the course in the final sixteenth.

“Jose rode her perfect,” DeStatio said. “She finished real well.”