Toronto, ON – Essence Hit Man, a three-year-old son of Speightstown, humbled five rivals courtesy of a six-length win in Saturday’s $150,400 Queenston Stakes at Woodbine.
Essence Hit Man, fresh off a victory in the Woodstock Stakes on April 25, was sent off at 5-1 in the seven-furlong Queenston. The race featured several major Queen’s Plate contenders, including Winterbook favourite Hollinger, Canada’s champion two-year-old male in 2009, who came into the race undefeated. Confidently handled by Chantal Sutherland, Essence Hit Man set early fractions of :23.38 and :45.38, and was 1 ½ lengths in front at the half-mile mark.
Trained by Audre Cappuccitti, who co-owns and co-bred the gelding with her husband, Gord, Essence Hit Man widened his lead at will down the lane. Mel Lawson’s Ghost Fleet was second, while D’s Wando, a son of 2003 Triple Crown champion, Wando, was third. Hollinger, who had won all four of his lifetime starts, was fourth. The final time was a brisk 1:20.97 over the Polytrack.
“He had lot more left at the end than he did in his last race (the Woodstock),” said Sutherland, who teamed with the chestnut to win a 6 ½-furlong ‘Poly’ race on October 22, to launch the win streak.
A lifetime winner of four races from seven starts, along with one second, Essence Hit Man was supplemented into the Queenston. “I was just so impressed he improved off his last race,” offered Sutherland. “He’s the type of horse that always runs through his threshold.”
The Queenston is one of several Queen’s Plate preps at Woodbine. The Marine (May 29), the Plate Trial (June 13) and Victoria Park Stakes (June 27) are still left on the schedule. The Plate itself is slated for July 4.
For an interview with winning trainer/owner Audre Cappuccitti, visit www.woodbineentertainment.com/Woodbine/News/Pages/Videos.aspx
For more on the road to the “Gallop for the Guineas,” visit www.queensplate.com.
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
