Don’s Folly rallied determinedly to capture Saturday’s opening day feature, the $100,000 Debut Stakes at Woodbine.
The flashy five-year-old had to fend off a stubborn Daniel Be Good, who finished second, to win the five-furlong dash for Ontario-sired runners. D’s Legend Storm was third.
Under Emma-Jayne Wilson, the son of Tethra made a bold move on the turn to get close, angled outside at the top of the stretch and wore down Daniel Be Good in the final sixteenth for the victory.
Don’s Folly completed the five-furlong distance in :57.53 and prevailed by three-quarters of a length.
“He had a clean run,” said Wilson. “He dug in really good the last sixteenth. It was a good race. I hope there are many more to come.”
“He’s a very consistent horse,” said assistant trainer Jeff Bowen. “He overcame all three biases today. He runs from off the pace, he wasn’t winter trained and he wasn’t trained by Wesley Ward (who swept five of the day’s 10 races).”
Don’s Folly, who is trained by Ian Black and owned by Don Cole, also kicked off his 2010 campaign in the Debut Stakes. He finished a fast-closing second to Grazettes Landing.
Don’s Folly returned $6.60, $3.60 and $3, combining with Daniel Be Good ($7.50, $6) for a $46.20 exactor. D’s Legend Storm ($9.30) rounded out a triactor worth $818.30. The $1 superfecta returned $3,340.30.