Bear No Joke, ridden by Eurico Rosa da Silva, caught odds-on Black Hornet inside the sixteenth pole to win the $125,000 Kenora Stakes, one of six yearling sales stakes featured Wednesday evening at Woodbine Racetrack as part of Canadian Million Sales Stakes Day.
Da Silva, who picked up the mount because Emma-Jayne Wilson was unable to report to the jocks room in time after riding at Saratoga earlier in the day, placed Bear No Joke in second behind the ultra-speedy Black Hornet in the six furlong event, as the pacesetter blazed through an opening quarter in 21.48, before reaching the half in a sizzling 43.73.
The early fractions took their toll on the favourite, though, late in the lane, as the Bear Stables silk-bearer, trained by Reade Baker, inched past the tired leader to win by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:09. Consolidator Joe finished third, two lengths further back, with defending Kenora champion Bear’s Chill fourth and last in the small field.
With the victory worth $78,750, Bear No Joke, a $75,000 yearling purchase at the CTHS sale in 2009, has now banked over $350,000. It was the fifth win in only 15 career starts for the five-year-old grey gelding by It’s No Joke-Nithi, but his first visit to the winner’s circle since last October.
Bred by James and Janeane Everatt and J. Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Bear No Joke, the third choice at 7-2, paid $9.40 and $4 (there was no show wagering), combining with Black Hornet ($2.20) for a $23.40 (1-2) exactor.
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