Canadian Derby Goes to His Race to Win

 

His Race to Win, a Sam-Son Farm homebred son of Stormy Atlantic-Fleet of Foot, saved all the ground in the 1 1/8-mile 'Poly' Stake to earn his first added-money score under regular rider Eurico Rosa da Silva.

 

B E Boston Strong set splits of :25.31, :50.59 and 1:14.71 as da Silva rated His Race to Win comfortably along the rail in third position.  Sky Commander, tracking the pacesetter throughout, took command at the top of the lane with the favoured Winning Cause rallying on the outside creating a wall of traffic for His Race to Win.

 

However, a patient da Silva found a hole in deep stretch and surged between rivals, galloping out a 2 1/4-length winner. Winning Cause stayed on for second over a closing Pyrite Mountain. His Race to Win stopped the clock in 1:50.71.

 

The veteran rider admitted to being worried about the traffic trouble as the field turned for home.

 

“It worked out perfect but I was really worried," said da Silva. "I had so much horse in the turn and had nowhere to go, but I’m glad they opened a hole there for me. My horse was there just waiting for that moment.”

 

His Race to Win banked $108,000 in victory, while improving his record to 3-3-2 from 11 starts.

 

He returned $6.30, $2.90 and $2.20, pairing with Winning Cause ($2.70, $2.10) for a $15.40 (3-5) exactor.  A 3-5-6 (Pyrite Mountain, $2.60 to show) triactor was worth $37.90.