Kingsport led at every call under Eurico Rosa da Silva to capture Saturday’s $125,400 Kingarvie Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Sid Attard for Goldmart Farms, the dark bay son of Milwaukee Brew made amends for a stumbled start last time out when a rallying fourth behind Kingarvie rivals Phil’s Cocktail and Goodoldhockeygame in the seven furlong Frost King Stakes.
Stretching out around two turns for the first time suited Kingsport who set splits of :24.56 and :49.39 under pressure from Java’s Bourbon with Phil’s Cocktail, Ella’s Smile and Goodoldhockeygame stalking their early pace.
Bear At Last advanced through the final turn as Phil’s Cocktail waited patiently for racing room, but there was no catching Kingsport who kicked on down the lane to win by 3 3/4-lengths. Phil’s Cocktail closed for place, 3/4-lengths in front of Bear At Last. Kingsport covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:46.32.
Da Silva picked up the mount on Kingsport when scheduled rider Jesse Campbell had to book offer after being tossed at the gate by Sweet Corinna in the day’s second race.
“Sid (Attard) was very confident in the horse. I looked at the horse and he looked amazing,” said da Silva. “He wanted the horse in good position. It looked like we had a couple other speed in there, but my horse broke on top and he was so easy on the lead, I knew Sid would be happy with the way I rode him. The horse made the lead very easy.”
Attard was pleased with the trip da Silva engineered aboard the dark bay colt.
“There were two speed horses and I thought we would sit third and see what happens further on,” said Attard. “But, when I seen him on the front, the first thing I did was look at the time. When I saw :24 and :49, I said to myself, ‘I think we’re okay’.
“He’s a really nice horse. Last time (in the Frost King Stakes), coming out of the gate, he stumbled and lost some ground and tried to come back on. We’ve always loved this horse.”
Kingsport, bred in Ontario by Richard Moylan, banked 75,000 in victory while improving his record to 2-0-1 from four starts.
He paid $24.60, $8.80 and $4.90, combining with Phil’s Cocktail ($3.10, $2.50) for a $74.20 (4-1) exactor. A 4-1-8 triactor (Bear At Last, $3.90 to show) was worth $278, while a $1 Superfecta [34-1-8-5 (Goodoldhockeygame)] came back $353.85
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