His Race To Win Rallies in Seagram Cup
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Photo:
WEG/Michael Burns
Sam-Son Farm's homebred colt His Race to Win swooped last to first to capture Sunday's
co-featured Grade 3 $178,500 Seagram Cup, at Woodbine.
Trained by Malcolm Pierce, the bay son of Stormy Atlantic-Fleet of
Foot raced last of six as Ultimate Destiny set slow early splits of
:25.08 and :49.72 in the 1 1/6-miles 'Poly' route.
Sky Captain, who spotted the field lengths after missing the break,
was urged into contention down the backstretch racing four-wide outside
of the pace pressing trio of Alpha Bettor, Pender Harbour and Peyton.
Sky Captain loomed large at the top of the lane, but His Race to
Win, patiently handled by Eurico Rosa da Silva, angled out at the top of
the lane and was full of run en route to a 1 1/4-length score. Sky
Captain won a place photo over Peyton. His Race
to Win covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:43.35.
It was the second graded stakes score for His Race to Win who
captured the Grade 3 Ontario Derby a year ago in a similar rallying
effort with da Silva in the irons.
Da Silva wasn't too concerned about the lack of early pace in the Seagram Cup.
"He was running very relaxed and when I picked him up at the quarter pole, he kicked very strong," said da Silva.
His Race to Win showed promise as a juvenile finishing third to
stablemate Up With the Birds in the Coronation Futurity. As a
three-year-old, the bay finished second, by a nose, to Dynamic Sky in
the Plate Trial before finishing sixth in the Queen's Plate.
"I think he's still going to improve," said da Silva. "When he was a
two-year-old, I loved this horse and I'm so happy to see him winning
stakes now."
The victory marked the sixth stakes win of the season for Pierce.
"I was worried about the pace early too, being last after a slow half, but the horse was on his game today," said Pierce.
His Race to Win banked $108,000 in victory while improving his record to 5-3-3 from 16 starts.
He paid $16.10, $6.80 and $4.30, combining with Sky Captain ($4.20,
$2.90) for a $64.90 (3-5) exactor. A 3-5-4 (Peyton, $7.50) triactor
was worth $465.60.
Eff Bee Eye takes charge in Nandi
Eff Bee Eye came from off the pace under Patrick Husbands to capture the $125,000 Nandi Stakes, at Woodbine.
Owned by the partnership of Rolph Davis and trainer Bob Tiller, Eff
Bee Eye arrived at the six furlong 'Poly' sprint for Ontario-sired
juvenile fillies from a fourth-place run in the Shady Well Stakes in
which she was hampered by a slow start.
The bay daughter of Philanthropist was better from the gate in the
Nandi and settled into third position just off the early speed of She's
Explosive and Mel's Ring.
She's Explosive led the field to the top of the lane through sharp
splits of :21.73 and :45.17, but there was no denying the late rally
from Eff Bee Eye who closed the case a 3 1/4-length winner in 1:11.17.
She's Explosive stayed on for place over Brooklynsway.
Husbands noted the importance of a good draw and quick break.
"Today we drew on the outside and the start before was on the
inside (Post 1) and she missed the break and then she was fighting down
the backside. It wasn't a fair race for her," said Husbands. "Today she
ran like Bob told me she would. She's a nice filly.
She ran like she was the best horse today, because the race set up for
her."
Eff Bee Eye, bred in Ontario by Paradox Farm, banked $75,000 in
victory while improving her record to two wins from three starts.
She paid $9.70, $5.80 and $3.20, combining with She's Explosive
($6.10, $3.30) for a $72 (6-2) exactor. A 6-2-5 (Brooklynsway, $2.60)
triactor was worth $202.50. Quidi Vidi was scratched.
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