Black Hornet Makes the Grade in Vigil

Black Hornet buzzed to the lead and never looked back en route to a swift score in Sunday’s $150,000 Grade 3 Vigil Stakes, at Woodbine.

Trained by Pat Parente for owners Joey Gee Thoroughbreds and Aldo Ventresca, Black Hornet arrived at the seven furlong sprint from a fourth-place finish, while making his seasonal debut, in the Jacques Cartier Stakes won by Vigil rival Calgary Cat.

Black Hornet, with Luis Contreras up, zipped an opening quarter in :22.99 in the Vigil with Puntrooskie, third in the Jacques Cartier Stakes, settled just off his flank. Calgary Cat, sent to post as the 3-5 mutuel favourite, was off a step slow but improved up the rail into third position as Black Hornet took the field into the turn through a swift half in :44.71.

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Puntrooskie loomed large as the field straightened away but Black Hornet found another gear and persevered to the wire for a 3/4-length win. Puntrooskie, game to the end, earned place by 1 ¾-lengths over a rail-rallying Za Approval. Black Hornet covered seven furlongs in 1:21.70.

Parente was pleased with the prominent trip engineered by Contreras for Black Hornet. The five-year-old dark bay is now 2-0-1 at the seven furlong distance from three attempts, including a score in the 2013 edition of the Queenston Stakes.

“We were just trying to get him comfortable on the front end. We’ve done it before in the Queenston,” said Parente. “He has a great record at seven-eighths. He’s such a pleasure to be around. He just does everything right…and gives you a hundred percent every time.”

By Pioneering out of Start Stinging, Black Hornet was bred in Ontario by Jus Luk Stables. He banked $90,000 in victory, while improving his record to 5-4-4 from 18 starts.

He paid $9 and $8, combining with Puntrooskie ($14.10) for a $66.90 (1-5) exactor. A 1-5-4 triactor (Za Approval) was worth $177.80. No show wagering was offered on the five-horse Vigil.