Latonka, who came from the clouds to prevail in his first start, duplicated that feat at Woodbine on Monday by rallying from well back to capture the $125,000 Bull Page Stakes by three-quarters of a length under a jubilant Gary Boulanger.
The six-furlong Bull Page, for Ontario-sired two-year-old colts and geldings, was the sixth stakes winner of the meeting for Boulanger but the first for trainer Denyse McClachrie.
“He’s showed us a lot of class in the morning,” said Boulanger. “He’s learning a lot. He’s obviously a horse with a tremendous turn of foot and I don’t know how good he is yet, but he’s been awfully good to us and he’s a pleasure to ride and pleasure to be around. He’s a lot of fun.”
Be Vewy Vewy Quiet, who had won his first two starts but then ran third as the odds-on choice in the open Colin Stakes, broke like a bullet as the 1-5 choice in the Bull Page but settled back off the pace as Inge shot to the front.
Cry Bao stalked on the outside and Royal Laser on the inside as Inge showed the way by a half-length through a quarter in :23.17.
Be Vewy Vewy Quiet moved up to second while three-wide around the final turn as Inge opened his lead to two lengths with a half in :46.23.
Latonka, who had trailed the leader by as much as 10 lengths in the early stages, was hitting his stride as they turned for home.
Inge seemed poised for a major upset as he still led by 1-1/2 lengths through five furlongs in :58.03.
But the 36-1 shot finally gave way late as Latonka blew by and Be Vewy Vewy Quiet plugged on for second money, three-quarters of a length before the pacemaker.
Royal Laser, Ellas My Love and Cry Bao rounded out the order of finish.
McClachrie, who is having a career season, was sending out her 29th winner of the meeting. Latonka was her first stakes starter.
“It was very exciting,” was McClachrie. “He’s been a pleasure to work with, a very, very professional horse.”
McClachrie also is the co-breeder of Latonka along with Gayle Bosscher. Both are part of the ownership group along with McClachrie’s husband, Shale Wagman, and Howard Rubin.
Sent postward at odds of 5-1, Latonka paid $13.10, $3.50 and $3.10. He combined with favourite Be Vewy Vewy Quiet ($2.10, $2.10) for a $2 6-5 exacta worth $28.90 and keyed a 6-5-4 trifecta with (Inge, $4.80) that paid $141. The 6-5-4-1 (Royal Laser) superfecta returned $175.05.
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