Avie’s Quality sat off the early pace of Clearly Now, before launching an impressive move to capture Saturday’s $150,800 Display Stakes, at Woodbine.
The dark bay son of Elusive Quality-Fly for Avie, trained by Josie Carroll for owner Ivan Dalos, entered the Display Stakes off an emphatic five-length maiden score on November 14.
Hey You Pick Me and Dan the Tin Man stalked the early pace of Clearly Now who set splits of :24.13, :48.10 and 1:12.46 in the 1 1/16-mile ‘Poly’ route.
Avie’s Quality, expertly ridden by leading rider Luis Contreras, edged into contention through the turn, taking command in mid-stretch, and was ridden out a 1 ¼-length winner in 1:43.25. My Name Is Michael closed for place, four lengths clear of Clearly Now.
Contreras, riding Avie’s Quality for the first time in the afternoon, was pleased with the trip he engineered for Kentucky-bred gelding.
“We were in a great position, I had a perfect trip all the way, and kicked at the end,” said Contreras. “I breezed him last time and he’s a very nice horse.”
It was the fifth stakes win at Woodbine this year for Carroll, who was not surprised by the strong showing from Avie’s Quality.
“He’s always shown himself to want to do something like this,” said Carroll. “Certainly his pedigree has indicated this is what he would want to do.”
Carroll is hopeful that Avie’s Quality can continue his good form through the winter months.
“That will be up to Mr. Dalos, but I’d certainly think so,” said Carroll. “He’s always been the class clown and he’s just now starting to figure things out, so you would really like to continue forward.”
Avie’s Quality banked $90,000 victory, improving his record to two wins, a second and a third from four career starts.
He paid $5.50, $3.40 and $2.60, combining with My Name Is Michael ($7.60, $5.40) for a $49.10 (3-6) exactor. A 3-6-2 (Clearly Now, $2.10 to show) triactor was worth $168.40 while a $1 superfecta [3-6-2-8 (Really Sharp)] came back $270.30.
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