Induction, trained by Graham Motion, is set to make his stakes debut in Saturday’s bet365 Summer Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine.
The winner of the one-mile turf race for two-year-olds will earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, also contested at one mile, on Oct. 30 at Keeneland. The Summer purse is $500,000, with up to an additional $100,000 available to eligible Ontario-breds.
Motion, who won the 2017 running of the Summer with Untamed Domain (the son of Animal Kingdom who went on to finish second in that year’s Juvenile Turf) will send out debut winner Induction in this year’s edition.
A homebred for Pin Oak Stud, LLC, the son of Scalding out of the Constitution mare Right to Freedom recorded a polished two-length victory over 5 ½ furlongs of turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 9.
Sent off at 9-2 in the 10-horse field, Induction rallied four-wide in upper stretch before striking the front with a confident move and drawing off to win in 1:37.45 over firm ground.
“Honestly, that was a bit of a surprise,” said Motion. “He had worked fine leading into the race, but he hadn’t worked like the type of horse who was going to go out and win in that manner. I think just how easily he did it and did it so professionally [stood out]. He’s a very attractive horse, one who catches your eye.”
The bay colt posted a series of works ahead of his first stakes engagement, including a four-furlong breeze in :50.20 over the all-weather track at Fair Hill on Aug. 28. On Sept. 6, Induction covered five furlongs in 1:02.20.
“He can be a little tricky in the mornings,” said Motion. “He has an awkward way of going in the mornings, which can make him a little tough to ride. But in the race, he was very professional. His work on Sunday, timewise, was one of the best works of the day.”
Motion, a four-time Breeders’ Cup winner, is hoping Induction will relish the long stretch drive of the E.P. Taylor turf, which measures 1,440 feet.
“We’re very happy with the way he’s coming into it. After the race at Colonial, we thought we’d give him a shot in this race. With any 2-year-old, they are still learning, so there is always a question mark, but the hope is that he can build off that first race and step up for this one.”
Fast facts: Robin Platts has the most Summer wins by a jockey, with six. James Day holds the record for trainers with eight wins, including four consecutive victories from 1984-87, all with Sam-Son horses. Trainer Pasqual Prieto won the first two editions of the race, in 1953 with Seville and in 1954 with Charms.
Wagering menu for the bet365 Summer: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) / $5 All Stakes Pick 3 (Races 7-9-10) ***15 % Takeout*** / 0.20 Mandatory Jackpot Power Pk6 (Races 7-8-9-10-11-12) / $1 Swinger
Field for the bet365 Summer (G1T)
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Big Money Man (IRE) – PJ McDonald – Christopher Head
2 – Let Em Know – Edgard Zayas – Whitworth Beckman
3 – Oscar – Kendrick Carmouche – Miguel Clement
4 – Bounce Back – Romero Ramsay Maragh – Mark Casse
5 – Play It Again – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
6 – Nicki Knows Best – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse
7 – Quipster – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
8 – Sword Salute – Jamie Spencer – Charlie Johnston
9 – Al Hudaiba (GB) – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
10 – Voyager (S) – Javier Castellano – Mark Casse
11 – Speaker’s Speech – John Velazquez – Mark Casse
12 – Induction – Junior Alvarado – Graham Motion
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