Trainer Wesley Ward sent out a stunning five winners during Woodbine’s Opening Day card on Saturday. The mark is the most by conditioner on one Woodbine program since 1991.
After taking the curtain-raiser with New Tomorrow, the U.S.-based Ward tallied victories with Easy Ashley in the third, Miss Lulu Belle, who edged out another Wesley trainee, Goodeveningofficer, in the fifth, City Genius in the seventh and Magoo in the ninth.
Ward, who was at Woodbine to watch the victories, saw his Madman Diaries take champion two-year-old male honours at the Sovereign Awards, which took place Friday evening at the Toronto oval.
Last year, Ward won seven races, along with nine seconds and two thirds, from 20 starts overall at Woodbine.
Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson and trainer Ian Black teamed with Don’s Folly to take the featured $100,000 Debut Stakes in the eighth. The pair recently won the Grade 3 Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park in south Florida with local fan favourite and champion Rahy’s Attorney.
Of the jockeys, Juan Delgado won four races (New Tomorrow, Easy Ashley, City Genius and Magoo), all for Ward. Gerry Olguin won two while Tyler Pizarro, Jesse Campbell and Richard Dos Ramos had one visit each to the winner’s circle.
Of the trainers, Stuart Simon won two races while Steve Attard and Sam DiPasquale, also collected training victories on the 10-race programme.
The last trainer to notch at least four wins on one card was Robert Tiller, who achieved the feat on June 4, 2006.
The largest-priced winner on the day was Air Wolf, who paid $20.90 in the day’s 10th race.
Saturday’s handle was $2,977,839.
Woodbine’s 167-day racing meet continues Saturday and Sunday. Post time is 1:00 p.m. The season concludes December 4.
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