Langstaff, ridden energetically by Luis Contreras, collared pacesetters Click and Skyrish near the shadow of the wire to take the co-featured $125,800 Bold Ruckus Stakes Saturday at Woodbine.
It certainly didn’t look like Langstaff, a son of Saffir, would make it in time, as favoured Click and Skyrish were engaged in a bitter stretch-long duel while seemingly well clear of the field.
But Contreras was able to angle the Bob Tiller trainee out late and mowed the leaders down in the last few jumps, his third win in as many starts in his turf and stakes debut.
The Bold Ruckus, an Ontario Sire six furlong turf stake, went postward with 10 hopefuls, with the Ralph Biamonte-trained, Eurico Rosa da Silva-ridden Click the 9-5 post time favourite. Skyrish was the 3-1 second choice while Langstaff was the 4-1 third choice.
Click went immediately to the front as expected, getting the first quarter in 22.81 but was challenged by Skyrish turning for home as the pair reached the half in 45.79. The duo proceeded to battle it out, while in behind on the rail was Langstaff.
At the sixteenth pole, Langstaff, who had drawn the rail for the stake, was swung out by Contreras and exploded by the leaders in a heartbeat, getting the distance in 1:09.20 over a firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
“He’s a very nice horse,” said Contreras. “He’s got a tremendous kick at the end, he was leaving fire on the ground. He broke pretty good and relaxed himself. When I asked him, he just went.”
Added Tiller, “He (Contreras) found the room somehow. I don’t know how he did it because I thought we were done. He (Langstaff) was extra sharp in the paddock, too sharp, really. He broke sharp but now you’re on the fence and you’ve got a wall of horses in front of you. It’s a tough trip. The one-hole is the kiss of death, as everyone knows.
“But this is a very good horse. Luis worked this horse four or five times last year and said, ‘Boss, this horse can run’. And he always finished in his works, too. (But) Luis didn’t get on him this spring. He’s a busy jockey. I like the jocks to work them in the morning. But he got the opportunity today.”
Contreras ‘got the opportunity’ because Eurico Rosa da Silva, who had been aboard Langstaff for his two previous wins, was committed to Click. “Eurico was doing the right thing, sticking with the outfit he’s been lucky with. It’s the business and we got lucky to win.”
Langstaff, a $62,600 purchase at the Canadian Select Yearling Sale in September of 2011, earned $75,000 for his owner Rolph Davis and has now banked $136,500.
He paid $10.10, $4.20 and $3, combining with Click ($3.30, $2.80) for a $32.40 (1-4) exactor. A 1-4-5 (Skyrish, $3.30) triactor was worth $86.10 while a $1 Superfecta [1-4-5-2 (San Nicola Thunder)] came back $459.40.
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