Ontario-bred MANSETTI, owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling and trained by the reigning Sovereign Award-winning trainer Kevin Attard, sped to a handy win in the 125th WOODSTOCK STAKES at Woodbine on April 27.
The 6 furlong dash was worth $150,000 and was an open race. There was a significant scratch before the afternoon’s races when probable favourite Church and State was scratched.
Mansetti, a fast son of Collected – Gidget Girl by Sky Mesa, was a two-time winner at Woodbine in 2024 including the Clarendon Stakes. He gave New York a try in January, tackling the 1 mile Jerome on dirt, but was beaten 25 lengths and he returned to Ontario.
With blinkers off and plenty of sharp workout times, Mansetti and apprentice rider (weight allowance waived) Pietro Moran were a little sluggish to get going out of the gate while US invader Big Vince and Gail Cox’s Kokomo quickly went out in a big duel. Big Vince was actually out in the four-path down the backside while keeping Kokomo further out and they went through the first two furlongs in 22.46 and half a mile in 45.61.
Mansetti moved up to chase in third along the inside, but then had to cool his heels as he got close to the dueling pair and he didn’t have much room. By that time he had Incoming and Most Likely on his outside. Moran angled his colt off the inside into the stretch and barged his way to the three path, brushing Incoming and then charging to the lead.
From the back, Coronation Futurity winner Notorious Gangster moved from the inside in the back to six wide, pushing War of Destiny right out of his way as he made a late rally. Mansetti was home free by then and Big Vince held on for second while Notorious Gangster, with Fraser Aebly riding, finished fastest of all for third. There was an inquiry into the beginning of the race and Big Vince was disqualified for coming in on Incoming. The time for the race was 1:10.70.
The Woodstock, while a short sprint, is sometimes considered a starting point for Canadian-bred three-year-olds heading to the King’s Plate. Mansetti, who is said to be a maturing colt for the Ulwellings, appears to be a sprinter, but his dam did produce Mine That Bird Derby winner Straight Up G. Mansetti was a $40,000 purchase from the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales April auction. He was bred by American sports commentator Jim Rome and foaled at Anderson Farms.
Trainer Josie Carroll would have been pleased with Notorious Gangster’s season opener, as that son of Classic Empire is already proven in route races.
KEVIN ATTARD won four of the 17 races on opening weekend. Moran won five. Speed won most of the races, since they were short dashes.
Wagering on Sunday of $2.5 million was down from $3.3 million a year ago. The two-day betting total was just over $6.1 million, compared to $7.8 million in 2024.
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