Kara’s Orientation, under Emile Ramsammy, went wire-to-wire in taking Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine.
One month after a three-length win over 1 1/8 miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, the son of Orientate came up with his most memorable victory to date, winning the 1 ¼-mile Sky Classic by 2 ¼ lengths, in 2:04.87, over ‘good’ terrain.
Ramsammy and the dark bay were on a mission from the start, taking the lead and then continuing to widen their advantage, at one point 17 ½ lengths, through opening fractions of :25.78, :48.54 and 1:12.69.
With Kara’s Orientation four lengths in front at Dan Loiselle’s stretch call, Smart Bid, who would finish second, and Hailstone, a head back for third, came calling, but could not collar the colt.
And while the blueprint for victory didn’t go quite as planned, no one was complaining.
“I was very concerned early on,” said trainer Steven Chircop. “I wanted him in front by about three or four lengths in a perfect world. To see him open up like that, you’re kind of wondering, ‘When’s he going to stop?’ But the horse has been doing amazing.”
The Sky Classic was the four-year-old’s third triumph in five starts this year and sixth in 21 career starts for owners Max Berketa and Pinnacle Racing.
“He was a little aggressive, a little strong with me in post parade,” noted Ramsammy. “We had a hard time with him, but then we finally got him settled in and it worked out well.”
Kara’s Orientation, who was second in last year’s Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park one year ago to the day, kicked off his 2011 campaign with a head score in a seven-furlong Polytrack race at Woodbine.
He paid $16.80, $6.50 and $4.10, combining with Smart Bid ($3.60, $3.30) for a $64.80 exactor. Hailstone ($5.30) completed a $305.30 triactor. Fifty Proof was scratched.
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