Passion for Action, San Nicola Thunder Take Woodbine Stakes

Favored Passion for Action took over in mid-stretch and went on to post a three and one-quarter length score over Java’s Bourbon in the $250,800 Cup and Saucer Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.

With Luis Contreras up, the Mike DePaulo-trained Passion for Action, who had entered the rich juvenile Canadian-bred turf stake off a head loss to Conquest Tsunami in an allowance contest in August, was a close-up sixth early in the 10-horse field in the mile and one-sixteenth contest, as Ensign Eli led through fractions of :23.49, :47.04 and 1:11.27, while being dogged by Sweet Grass Creek.

But the favorite moved up on the rail as the field turned for home, was swung outside by Contreras, collared the leader inside the eighth-pole and drew off resolutely for the win, his second in only four starts for owner-breeder Ben Hutzel.  

Java’s Bourbon outbattled Conquest Boogaloo by a half-length for second, with Billy’s Star another three-quarters of a length back in fourth.  The final time over a firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course was 1:42.66.

“We saved all the ground,” said Contreras. “He broke good and I was right behind the speed, waiting for my move.  I had to wait but I wasn’t worried because every time I ask this horse, he gives me everything. He’s kind of a small horse, but he’s got a big, big heart.”

Said Hutzel, “It’s been fantastic to see how Mike has brought this horse along.  He didn’t show it early (in his development) but boy, he’s certainly come on strong.”

Explained DePaulo, “They weren’t that thrilled about him in South Carolina (during the winter), but he got here, went about his business, a real gentleman and has done everything we’ve asked him.  The only thing he did was stay in the gate a little first time he ran. But he’s been good ever since.”

Hutzel revealed that it was DePaulo who suggested that he breed his turf-loving mare Maritime Passion to Breeders’ Cup winner Speightstown. The result was Passion for Action, who earned $150,000 for his effort on Sunday.

Contreras also won the Cup and Saucer last year aboard Matador, while DePaulo trained the 2007 race winner Deputiformer.

As the 8-5 choice, Passion for Action paid $5.30, $3.40 and $2.50, teaming with 18-1 longshot Java’s Bourbon ($11.30, $7) for a $56.70 (5-10) exactor.  A 5-10-1 (Conquest Boogaloo, $3) triactor returned $253.50 while a $1 Superfecta [5-10-1-7 (Billy’s Star)] was worth $691.40.

San Nicola Thunder, with Justin Stein in the irons, fended off a late challenge from Iroquois Falls to win the $125,000 Bunty Lawless Stakes, an Ontario Sires Stake for three-year-olds and upward, Sunday at Woodbine.

 

At the finish of the one mile turf test, San Nicola Thunder, who had been positioned in fourth for much of the journey before taking over in mid-stretch,  had prevailed by a neck in 1:35.89 over the firm going.  Warbred, who had set the early fractions of :24.11, :48.43 and 1:12.07 before giving way to the winner, hung on for third.

 

Named for one of Canada’s great thoroughbreds, who won the 1938 Queen’s Plate and the inaugural Canadian International the same year, the Bunty Lawless went postward with eight hopefuls, including the 8-5 favorite Pender Harbour, who was attempting to win the race for a third time in the last four years.  And last year, he was beaten a neck for the top spot or he would have been seeking a fourth consecutive score.

 

But today was not his day, as the race highweight, carrying 126 pounds compared to the winner’s 117 pounds, came home fourth, three and one-half lengths behind San Nicola Thunder.

 

It was the first win in eight starts this year for the John Cardella-trained four-year-old gelded son of Silent Name-San Nicola Flyer.   But he’d been knocking at the door, with three seconds, including a runner-up finish to Paso Doble, just a head back, in the Overskate Stakes in his last outing on Polytrack.

 

Last year, he won only once in nine starts, but like today, it was on the grass, it was at one mile and it was a stake race (Vice Regent).  Stein was also aboard for that triumph.

 

“He loves the mile distance, it’s his preferred distance.  He likes the hard turf and the trip worked out well,” said Stein.  “There were a couple of horses on the outside coming  around the (far) turn that were putting a little pressure on me to move a little earlier than I wanted to.  But he ran very game down the lane and he tries really hard.  He’s a very honest horse. ”

 

Added veteran conditioner Cardella, “As the time goes by, he seems to be improving in his morning training.  Let’s hope he wins another stake before the year is over.”

 

Sent postward the 5-2 second choice, San Nicola Thunder, who earned $75,000 for his co-owner and breeder Joe Pirone, along with partner Paul Cooper, returned $7.40, $4.30 and $3.40, combining with Iroquois Falls ($4.70, $3.40) for a $34 (7-5) exactor.  A 7-5-4 (Warbred, $7.20) triactor paid $217.30, while a $1 Superfecta [7-5-4-6 (Pender Harbour)] was worth $319.60.