Toronto, ON – Audre and Gord Cappuccitti’s Essence Hit Man took Sunday’s $174,800 Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine.
The three-year-old son of Speightstown led at every call, winning by three-quarters of a length, fending off determined late bids from 23-1 longshot D’s Wando and third-place finisher Bear’s Hard Ten. Essence Hit Man blazed six furlongs in 1:08.66, just a fraction off the track record of 1.08.31 set by Legal Move on July 2, 2008.
Co-bred, co-owned and trained by Cappuccitti, the Ontario-bred gelding broke sharply from the rail and was sent straight to the front by jockey Chantal Sutherland. “This horse has a huge heart and he showed it today,” said Sutherland. “He tried the whole way. He was tired at the end, but he gave everything he had.”
Essence Hit Man, in his first added-money event, notched quick fractions of :22.33 and :44.91. Turning for home, the chestnut dug in gamely and turned back all challenges. “I just said to Chantal, ‘I’m not giving you any instructions. Just ride your race,’” said Cappuccitti. “And she did a wonderful job.”
Now a three-time winner from six starts, Essence Hit Man, who has raced exclusively at Woodbine, broke his maiden in his second start last August, before ending his campaign with a neck nod on October 22.
Essence Hit Man paid $16.10, $7 and $4.40, combining with D’s Wando ($14.90, $4.90) for a $221.50 exactor. Bear’s Hard Ten ($3.40) rounded out an $812.90 triactor. A $1 superfecta returned $2,761.10.
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