Trip handicappers would have had a field day with many of the races on August 1 at Woodbine (e.g. the 2-year-old first time starter Silent Farewell in race 2) and no doubt plenty of notes were taken.
Two graded stakes races on the Woodbine Oaks-Plate Trial card were way up the scale in excitement. AMALFI COAST, nominated for two Sovereign Awards in 2019 and coming off a modest campaign last year, was fabulous in her brave score in the Grade 2 ROYAL NORTH STAKES at 6 furlongs on the grass. This gorgeous chestnut mare by Tapizar – Include Katherine by Include, rated inside and mid-pack early in the good field, sought a path to rally into the stretch before jockey Justin Stein guided her to the rail. She got up in the last jump to win a very close photo over Jeanie B.
Just one race after a huge winner’s circle celebration from the Oaks, Kevin Attard and Stein were back with the Dom Romeo family of Terra Racing. The senior Romeo and his wife were there with sons, grandkids and in-laws. It was the sixth win for Amalfi Coast in her 16th race and she has now earned over $480,000 (US).
Earlier in the day, the Grade 3 Vigil was a re-match between the mighty PINK LLOYD, a four time winner of the Vigil, and young fellow SOUPER STONEHENGE, who beat Pinki in the Jacques Cartier to begin the season. While the fans bet ‘Soup’ to 2-to-5, Pink Lloyd let everyone know that he is not quite ready to retire yet.
The 9-year-old got caught in a traffic crunch and was steadied to the point where he was last late on the turn for him. By that time, Souper Stonehenge was still playing on the lead. But Pink Lloyd came roaring home and was gaining on the favourite in a super effort.
Souper Stonehenge, a son of Speightstown, owned and bred by Live Oak Plantation, has been a marvel at Woodbine with 4 wins and 3 seconds from 7 Woodbine-Tapeta races. Patrick Husbands rode for the Mark Casse team.
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