Spin the King Takes Clarendon

Sent postward the 6-1 second choice behind the prohibitive 1-5 Go Greeley, Spin the King, trained by Brian Lynch for J.M. Stritzl Stable, overtook pacesetter Maritime Pulpit in mid-stretch of the five and one-half furlong event, then gamely outbattled the favourite to the wire.

The son of Giant Gizmo-Muriel, a $50,695 purchase at the Canadian September Yearling Sale last year, had debuted on June 16 and finished second to Grom, giving up the lead late.   He’d been purchased for the Stritzls at the sale by the late trainer Greg de Gannes.

On Sunday, racing with Lasix for the first time, Spin the King was headed by Go Greeley but fought back for the nose win in 1:04.76.   Maritime Pulpit, who set the early fractions of 22.87 and 46.14, faded late to finish third, two lengths behind, in his debut.

“He was game,” said Contreras, Woodbine’s leading rider once again and a two-time Sovereign Award winner.   “He was so nice and relaxed early.   When he felt the horse on the outside, he just tried to fight back, all heart.”

Spin the King, who picked up $90,000 for the win, paid $15, $4.10 and $3, combining with Go Greeley ($2.20, $2.10) for a $23.80 (3-1) exactor.  A 3-1-4 (Maritime Pulpit, $4) triactor was worth $132 while a $1 Superfecta [3-1-4-6 (Grom)] was worth $246.50.