Jockey Justin Stein had a strong start to the 2012 Woodbine Thoroughbred racing season with two wins, including the featured $100,000 Debut Stakes, as the Toronto oval kicked off its 57th season on Friday.
Stein guided Gypsy Ring, a six-year-old dark bay gelding, to the half-length score over Executive Five for trainer-owner-breeder Paul Buttigieg.
Stein also guided Zip It Nance to victory in the seventh race.
Absoulute Heaven won the season’s first dash, contested under sunny skies, for jockey Steven Bahen and owner-trainer Jim Ensom.
“Any time you can win the first race of the year, it’s great,” said Bahen. “I’m really happy.”
It was one year ago when U.S.-based trainer Wesley Ward won five races on Woodbine’s 2011 Opening Day card. While not quite as successful, he did win three from four starters this year.
Ward and jockey Jesus Rios took the afternoon’s second race with Chiquis before winning the fourth with Sweet and Lowdown and the 10th with Zingwella.
Other jockeys to get their season off on a winning note were Emma-Jayne Wilson (third race, Sir Lowry’s Pass), Patrick Husbands (fifth, Delightful Song), Gerry Olguin (sixth, Holy Schneikies), Eurico Rosa da Silva (ninth, Proud of My Roots)
Of the trainers, Reade Baker, Mark Casse, Scott Fairlie, Denyse McClachrie and Brian Lynch kicked their Woodbine meets off well with a win each.
The 10-race card was a haven for favourites as only one major longshot won, Zip It Nance, who paid $20.60 to win in the seventh.
Woodbine’s 167-day racing meet continues Saturday and Sunday. Post time is 1:00 p.m. The season concludes December 16.
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