Master Spy seized the lead in the 84th running of the $250,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes and never looked back to secure his first stakes triumph on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack.
Purchased by Kentuckian Tracy Farmer for $72,000 at last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale from the consignment of Bernard and Karen McCormack, the Ontario sired colt by Silent Name (Jpn) – Smart Catomine by Smart Strike led the field of nine gate-to-wire over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course in the 1-1/16-mile feature showcasing Canadian-bred two-year-olds.
Jockey Patrick Husbands put Master Spy on top, warding off early inside pressure from second choice Credit River and setting slow fractions of :24 to the quarter, :48.11 to the half-mile mark and 1:12.71 to three-quarters over firm turf.
Track announcer Robert Geller called it right halfway the race as Master Spy was going for “a stroll” while other juveniles behind him were wrangled back and had no chance to catch up.
Turning for home, Master Spy kept clear as Threefiftyseven (Run Away and Hide) launched an all-out charge in second and opened up 3-1/4 lengths down the stretch to score in 1:42.67. Giant Waters (Giant Gizmo) edged out an impressive closer, Beyond My Dreams (Congrats) for third.
“The riders saw the first two races run on the turf today that the winners came from behind so I was telling myself, I hope the [other] riders stick with that plan and I can get an easy lead,” said Husbands after his astute front-end strategy landed him and the rising star in the winner’s circle.
“It’s amazing to see that every time I leave the gate, he was relaxed. He was never rank at all. It showed me that if anybody won’t leave today, I didn’t mind.”
Fresh off a maiden-breaking victory last month over one mile when making his E.P. Taylor turf debut, Master Spy was sent postward as the 5-2 bettors’ choice here and paid $7.30 to win.
Now two-for-four in his career, the dark bay colt, who was a runner-up in the Victoria Stakes on August 2, earned his first added-money score for Farmer.
Farmer, 80, joined forces with Casse a few years ago at the suggestion of John Oxley, who has raced horses with Casse for many years. Farmer’s homebred colt Sir Winston won the Belmont Stakes last year for his biggest win as an owner and Casse trains.
Owner of Shadowlawn Farm with wife Carol, Farmer is a member of The jockey Club, has been on the board of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Breeders’ Cup and involved in politics with the Democratic Party.
Tracy and Carol Farmer
In 2000, Farmer made a $2-million donation to the University of Kentucky to establish a research and education center to assist public and private organizations address environmental issues and develop solutions.
Farmer has spoken out on the need for medication reform in racing, and he and Carol are supporters of the Water Hay Oats Alliance, which is behind federal legislation to create independent, non-governmental national oversight of racing’s drug policies.
The McCormacks, who own Mapleshade Farm, have done very well with SMART CATOMINE, a $25,000 purchase in 2011 at Keeenland November. The mare was bred by Anderson Farms and Rod Ferguson and produced a few foals for them including stakes placed Crowns Dynasty.
For the McCormacks the mare has produced 2017 Prince of Wales Stakes champion Cool Catomine and Wild Catomine, who defeated 2014 Horse of the Year Lexie Lou in the Fury Stakes.
More Saturday – Lots of longshot winners on a warm October afternoon including REAL CHOPPER, a Head Chopper filly who won for owner and trainer Chetram Mohabir in race 2. The bay filly edged professional maiden Typically to win the $10,000 claiming race on turf by ahead under Leo Salles.
Tracy Farmer and Casse missed having two winners on the day when Magic Spin, a Twirling Candy colt bred by Ivan Dalos, was edged by 9 to 1 shot Lucky Score in a 5 1/2 furlong 2-year-old race.
Lucky Score, favoured for his career debut on the grass on Woodbine Mile day, trailed in that race but came back as a gelding for this Tapeta dash and popped up to win under Sheena Ryan for Mary Biamonte, Dominic Liscio and Danny Iandoll and trainer Ralph Biamonte.
Lucky Score is an Ontario-bred by Lookin at Lucky – Miss Matzo by Royal Academy, bred by James and Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt Meeuse.
Race 6, a maiden 2-year-old filly race went to beginner BLESS AND HONOR, a homebred for Haymarket Farm LLC, trained by Gail Cox. The Wicked Strong gal was up to reel in beginner Silenzio who led for most of the 5 furlongs on the inner turf. The race had several fillies who had tough traffic trouble.
The 9th race was another maiden 2-year-old filly race and it was DALLIAN M who won the 1 mile and 70 yard race for Mike Doyle and Richard Hogan. The Frac Daddy filly from Oistins by peaks and Valleys was making her second career start and the Box Arrow Farm-bred was a yearling purchase for $5,000.
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