Goodoldhockeygame, patiently handled by Eurico Rosa da Silva, surged to the lead near the top of the lane and stayed on strong to the wire to capture Saturday’s $126,200 Overskate Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Bob Tiller, the Frank Di Giulio Jr. homebred son of Old Forester-Domasca Bella arrived at the seven furlong ‘Poly’ sprint for Ontario-sired stock from a driving 1/2-length score over the same distance and footing in an August 26 optional claiming event.
True Executive showed early speed in the Overskate to mark the opening quarter in :22.80 before bearing out and allowing Kingsport to take command, under pressure from Marten Lake, through a swift half in :44.96.
Da Silva settled Goodoldhockeygame into fifth position down the back straight and stalked the pacesetters through the turn as True Executive bolted to the outside rail. Kingsport held a narrow advantage at the top of the lane, but Goodoldhockeygame was full of run when asked, driving to the wire a length victor over a rallying Ultimate Destiny. Goodoldhockeygame covered seven furlongs in 1:22.72.
Da Silva, aboard Goodoldhockeygame for the first time in the afternoon, was confident throughout.
“He was running very relaxed,” said da Silva. “The feeling he gave me was anytime I asked him, he was going to take off. When we turned home, I asked him and he took off from there. I had a lot of horse at the quarter pole.”
Goodoldhockeygame now boasts two wins and three seconds from five starts at the seven furlong distance.
“This is a seven furlong horse,” said Tiller. “He’s never been any better than he is right now and he went out there and proved it.”
Goodoldhockeygame, picking up his first stakes win since taking the Bull Page Stakes as a juvenile, banked $75,000 in victory while improving his record to 4-4-0 from 10 career starts.
He paid $26.70, $11.20 and $7.40, combining with Ultimate Destiny ($7.50, $5.70) for a $215.60 (5-4) exactor. A 5-4-11 triactor (Sniper, $2.10 to show) was worth $1483.50, while a $1 Superfecta [5-4-11-9 (Sorry About That)] came back $5323.30.
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