James Street, under a patient and confident ride from decorated Canadian champion jockey Patrick Husbands, arrived in the nick of time to defeat Patrioticandproud in Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Autumn Stakes, at Woodbine.
The Eugene Melnyk homebred, trained by Josie Carroll, found running room with a sixteenth of a mile to run to take the 1 1/16-mile ‘Poly’ route by half a length.
Patrioticandproud led the field under the wire for the first time with City Wolf in close pursuit and a relaxed James Street tucked in along the rail in fourth.
City Wolf and Alpha Bettor pressured Patrioticandproud through a half in :50.39, but the front-runner held strong opening up a one-length lead at the top of the lane. James Street, however, expertly steered by Husbands, split horses with a sixteenth of a mile to run, and surged through the wire first in 1:44.30.
Carroll was thrilled with the effort of the five-year-old son of El Prado.
“He’s a beautiful horse and the model of consistency,” said Carroll. “He’s just a horse that comes over and does his job every time.”
Carroll admitted to being a little nervous as the field turned for home.
“Fortunately, he found some racing room late,” said Carroll. “We were a little concerned as he came around the turn, but as soon as there was a hole, the horse just went for it.”
James Street banked $90,000 in victory, while improving his record to six wins, four seconds and three thirds from 20 career starts.
He paid $7.60, $4.10 and $2.80, combining with Patrioticandproud ($8.60, $4.70) for a $69.80 (1-5) exactor. A 1-5-2 (Hotep, $4.30 to show) triactor was worth $495.60, while a $1 superfecta [1-5-2-4 (Alpha Bettor)] came back $1109.45.
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