With the tough loss in the King’s Plate five weeks in the past, TOM’S MAGIC fought to victory in the 135th Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine on September 28, the final jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown.
The Canadian/Ontario-bred son of American Triple Crown winner Justify from Dixie Chicken by Rahy, settled down enough throughout the 1 1/2 mile race around the tight, inner turf at Woodbine to get the job done for his American owners CJ Thoroughbreds and Mo Speed Racing Stable.
The Breeders’ wrapped up the Triple Crown, which began with Mansetti’s win in the King’s Plate over a troubled Tom’s Magic and Runaway Again’s upset win over Mansetti in the Prince of Wales.
Neither Plate nor ‘Wales winner came for the Breeders’ and Tom’s Magic, trained by Michael Stidham, was 3-to-5 odds at post time. Already a two-time stakes winner on the grass, the strapping chestnut, bred by Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, has always shown to be an eager participant and he was the same in the Breeders’.
Under Woodbine’s leading stakes rider, Rafael Hernandez, Tom’s Magic figured to be close to the pace when the field of nine was sent on their way of the $400,000 race. The half-brother to Woodbine Oaks winner Dixie Moon was strong early as the maiden filly D’aurum went to a quick lead.
“During the race, Mike (trainer, Stidham) just told me, ‘Rafi, I don’t care what you do, just make sure you keep him relaxed,’” said Hernandez, who celebrated his fourth Breeders’ Stakes victory. “So, that’s what we did. We broke okay, a couple of horses go and I tried to keep him in behind.”
The second two furlongs of the Breeders’ was run in a pedestrian 26 seconds and change as all entrants were being dragged back off the pace.
“Around the second turn, the pace was too slow – were just galloping, just walking. I was fighting to keep him in behind. He got on the bridle really hard. Turning for home, I know he was going to give me a kick like he did in The King’s Plate.”
Tom’s Magic went to the lead and opened up but whether he was dawdling or tiring, Borealis Trail came with a run, only to fall a neck short.
The final time of 2:31.80 was fair over the inner course.
Stidham, who recorded his 224th career stakes win, heaped praise on the chestnut.
“We were certainly worried with the way the race was going to set up, pace-wise.” said Stidham. “Tom’s Magic can be a little bit keen. The only thing I stressed to Rafael was we’ve got to get him to turn off at some point down the backside, so he will have something to finish with. It was a little bit close, but it showed his courage and ability to get it done.”
Scott Mawaka, of Mo Speed Racing, went through a range of emotions before, during and after the race.
“I knew we had a really good horse,” said Mawaka. “He was well prepared. I felt much better than I did in the Plate, and he showed a lot finishing after being challenged. It was impressive, but certainly nerve wracking.”
“We felt that this horse maybe needed a little time to mature,” added Corey Johnsen of CJ Thoroughbreds. “We were able to send him to our farm in Midway, Kentucky and give him that time. In January, when this horse showed us that he had some talent, we said we need to look at The King’s Plate and the rest of the Canadian Triple Crown.
“I have been coming to Woodbine for many, many years,” continued Johnsen. “I love the place – they do a great job here.”
Tom’s Magic was a $200,000 yearling purchase two years ago and he has a record of four wins in seven races, with earnings of over $550,000. The colt would have to make one more start in Canada to be eligible for a Sovereign Award.
More News
