Earle I. Mack LLC.’s Born in a Breeze, patiently handled by Alan Garcia, rallied last to first to win Sunday’s $125,000 Vice Regent Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Mark Frostad, the bay son of Leonnatus Anteas arrived at the grassy one-turn mile for Ontario-sired sophomores from a similar rallying allowance score over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course on July 25 when besting next out winner Cosmic Charlie.
Bread Winner broke best of all in the Vice Regent and stepped to the lead through an opening quarter of :23.52 with Super Colerosa, on the outside, and a rail-skimming Kingsport, pressing the pace. Super Colerosa, with Luis Contreras up, moved to the lead into the turn after a half-mile in :46.96 and opened up a 2 1/2-length advantage.
Kingsport, piloted by Patrick Husbands, took aim at the leader as the field straightened away, ducking in slightly in front of the surging Call Me Wally. However, the patient Garcia, sitting at the back of the pack aboard Born in a Breeze, angled off the rail for the stretch run, and rallied his mount to an impressive 1/2-length score. Kingsport, sent to post as the 4-5 mutuel favourite, held place by a 1/2-length over Super Colerosa. Born in a Breeze covered the mile over an E.P. Taylor Turf Course rated as ‘Firm’ in 1:34.85.
A claim of foul by David Moran, aboard Call Me Wally, against Husbands and Kingsport for interference at the top of the lane was disallowed by the stewards.
Garcia was confident throughout.
“He was so comfortable at the back, nice and relaxed,” said Garcia. “Turning for home, I turned the horse into the hole and let him run. I was comfortable the entire time.”
Frostad, inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2011, admitted to being a little less confident than Garcia as the field turned for home.
“I was thinking he has some maneuvering to do to get through the field, but Alan got him through and he made a great run,” said Frostad.
Born in a Breeze, bred in Ontario by Walnut Ridge Farm, banked $75,000 in victory while improving his record to 3-2-2 from seven starts.
He paid $8.10, $3.20 and $2.50, combining with Kingsport ($2.30, $2.20) for a $16.80 (5-2) exactor. A 5-2-9 triactor (Super Colerosa, $3.80 to show) was worth $81.50, while a $1 Superfecta [5-2-9-1 (R U Watchingbud)] came back $186.20. Conquest Strate Up was scratched.
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