Bluebirds Over whistles to the wire in Woodbine's Grey Stakes

Bluebirds Over, under Edgard Zayas, made it two wins in as many starts after another strong showing, this time in the Grade 3, $119,000US Grey Stakes for 2-year-olds, at Woodbine.

Sent off as the 5-2 co-second choice, Bluebirds Over and 14-1 One Bay Hemingway both broke alertly in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta event, with the former taking the early lead as the field passed the wire for the first time. Mo Tourist tucked into third, Hal sat fourth and Forever Dixie was last of five.

After guiding the field through an opening quarter in 25.17 seconds, Bluebirds Over was quickly overtaken by One Bay Hemingway, who proceeded to open up on his rivals, holding a three-length advantage after a half in 48.81.

As the quintet approached the three-quarter mark in 1:12.37, Zayas gave the son of English Channel his cue, and the bay glided up effortlessly on the outside to confront One Bay Hemingway.

The duo matched strides throughout most of the drive to the wire, with Bluebirds Over eventually wearing down his stubborn foe late to record a 1 ½-length victory in 1:45.32. Mo Tourist nosed out Forever Dixie for third.

Bred and owned by Edward Seltzer and Beverly Anderson, the colt romped to an eight-length score over a mile and 70 yards on the Gulfstream synthetic in his debut on November 5.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., the Kentucky-bred was far more polished in his second start after running rank in his career bow.

“He was way, way more relaxed,” said Zayas. “It helped, I think, that we didn’t take him away from the pony. The first time, we took him away from the pony and he ran off with me before the race too. He was green the first time. He broke out of there last time and he broke straight to go to the lead, and I was trying to take a hold of him to sit second. It took me a little bit to relax him. But today, he broke out of there sharp, and he relaxed from the get-go. He’s really impressive.”

Bluebirds Over paid $7.20 for the win.