Gamble's Ghost charges late to win Woodbine's Ontario Matron
Gamble’s Ghost lived up to favoritism Sunday at Woodbine, charging down the outside to take the Grade 3, $125,000 Ontario Matron Stakes. The 5-year-old Ghostzapper mare gave trainer Josie Carroll and owner Ivan Dalos back-to-back Ontario Matron wins, with Ami’s Mesa winning the 2017 edition.
Gamble’s Ghost relaxed in second to last during the 1 1/16-miles race over the all weather track. Jockey Eurico Da Silva waited patiently to make his move, and when he did, Gamble’s Ghost took off, picking off the other fillies and mares just in time.
“I had a little concern because it was an awful nice horse that was on the lead,” Carroll said, “that looked like she was going to win it, and this mare, when she sees a horse in front of her she’s going to catch it.”
My Arch Enemy went out on the lead and set slow fractions of :24.65 and :50.21. Malibu Bonnie, Moonlit Promise and Let It Ride Mom were also close in contention, while Gamble’s Ghost was content near the back of the field.
The pacesetter held her position through three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.85, but she was facing pressure from the fillies just behind her. With a lot of ground to make up, Da Silva turned Gamble’s Ghost loose, collaring the frontrunners and stopping the clock in 1:44.88.
“I had a lot of confidence. When I was in the paddock Josie told me, ‘Eurico, just let her run her race,’” the winning rider said. “She was very, very relaxed all the way. If I put her a little bit early in the second turn, I’ll be losing a lot of ground. And then I need to make a decision. I choose to save a little bit more ground, and I know she’s going to run in the end, and she ran beautiful. She turned home, and all she wanted to do was catch all the horses.”
Let It Ride Mom got up for second while My Arch Enemy held for third. Malibu Bonnie, Sister Nation, Moonlit Promise, Just Be Kind, Daddy’s Great Bay and Grizzel completed the order of finish.
The Ontario Matron gave Gamble’s Ghost her ninth win in 19 starts, and her fifth lifetime graded score. She now has career earnings of $721,560.