Longshot Jurojin wears down favorite Lokinforpursemonee in Kingarvie
Jurojin, the second longest shot on the board at 21-1, wore down favoured Lokinforpursemonee in the final stride to win Sunday's $125,000 Kingarvie Stakes for Ontario-sired juveniles, at Woodbine.
Trained by Harold Ladouceur for owners Sandra M. Bird and Sarah Ladouceur, Jurojin was an impressive length winner on debut on June 25 but had failed to hit the board in two subsequent starts when seventh in the Victoria and eighth in the Vandal Stakes.
Jurojin broke slightly outward from the outside most post in a Kingarvie field of six and was content to race from next to last under Luis Contreras as Pachi Cruze and Lokinforpursemonee battled through splits of :24.94, :49.90 and 1:14.81.
Lokinforpursemonee and Pachi Cruze continued to duel through the turn as Contreras urged Jurojin into contention with the longshot looking like a runaway winner. However, Lokinforpursemonee, the 7-5 mutuel favourite off of wins in the Victoria and Simcoe Stakes, dug back in to make a race of it. Under strong urging from Gary Boulanger, Lokinforpursemonee cut into the lead but could not overtake the deserving upset winner who prevailed by a head in a final time of 1:45.87.
The victory marked the eighth stakes win of the meet for Contreras. He won the Kingarvie last year aboard Amis Gizmo who went on to finish second in The Queen's Plate before winning the Prince of Wales Stakes, at Fort Erie.
The veteran rider allowed the race to unfold perfectly for his improving charge.
"He was very comfortable from when we came out of the gate. Harold told me if I could get the lead by myself to go. If not, then stay back and find a way to come home," said Contreras.
Ladouceur was returning to the infield winner's circle for the first time since Paladin Bay's score in the Grade 3 Selene Stakes on May 18, 2014. The veteran conditioner, who trains Jurojin for his mother-in-law Sandra Bird and his daughter Sarah, held great faith in Jurojin's ability while travelling around two turns for the first time.
"I knew he was a good horse all along. He just needed that extra ground. I'm glad he found the race," said Ladouceur.
Jurojin, a gelded bay son of Giant Gizmo bred in Ontario by Sandra Bird, banked $75,000 in victory while improving his record to two wins from three starts.
He paid $45, $9.90 and $5, combining with Lokinforpursemonee ($2.60, $2.10) for a $101.40 (6-3) exactor. A 6-3-4 triactor (Pachi Cruze, $2.90 to show) was worth $334.40.
Source: Woodbine Communications Office