Hunters Bay made his first added-money appearance a winning one, taking Saturday’s Grade 3, $156,300 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine, in impressive fashion.
The 1 1/16-mile event was the second consecutive win for the five-year-old son of Ghostzapper, bred and owned by Stronach Stables and trained by Reade Baker.
Hunters Bay won by three lengths and travelled 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.63, just a tick off the track record of 1:42.22 set by True Metropolitan on November 17, 2007.
Mister Marti Gras was second, while Hothersal was third.
Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson had Hunters Bay perfectly positioned in fourth through opening splits of :24.80 and :48.86, before the duo kicked into high gear around the turn and then sprinted away from their rivals down the lane.
“I got lucky, with three in front of me…just the perfect garden trip,” said Wilson. “When I asked him to go, he responded and responded well. You couldn’t have asked for better. You couldn’t have written it better.
“He’s definitely a big boy,” she continued. “He’s a colt and gets a little fired up. But when he’s got his game face on and you tell him to go, he’s there. Just like any athlete, they like to let you know they’re on the field, on the track and he definitely has some presence.”
The Kentucky-bred is now a five-time winner from 10 starts.
Hunters Bay entered the Eclipse off an equally strong effort in a seven-furlong Polytrack race at Woodbine on April 28, a four-length score as the 3-5 mutuel favourite.
Baker was once again pleased with Hunters Bay, who is unbeaten in three starts at the Toronto oval, starting with a 6 ¼-length romp at seven panels on the ‘Poly’ last May 14.
“I was thrilled (where Emma had him placed),” offered Baker. “I mean, he was sitting in the garden spot ready to go. If he was good enough, he was going to go and he just ran over top of them.”
Hunters Bay paid $4.90, $3.70 and $3, combining with Mister Marti Gras ($5.40, $3.90) for a $29.60 exactor. Hothersal ($4.30) completed a $108.50 triactor. A $1 superfecta returned $281.20.
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