Phil’s Dream swooped to his first victory of the season in the $126,200 Shepperton Stakes on Holiday Monday, at Woodbine.
The Paul Buttigieg homebred arrived at the 6 1/2-furlong ‘Poly’ sprint for older Ontario-sired horses with four second-place efforts in as many starts, but the classy Philanthropist gelding would not be denied a victory.
Paso Doble, a three-time winner of the Shepperton Stakes (2011, 2013, 2014), got away well from the outside post in the 11-horse field and pressed the early speed of Rexton through splits of :21.83 and :44.16. Big Legacy settled along the rail in third position down the backstretch as Phil’s Dream stalked outside in fourth under Justin Stein.
Phil’s Dream advanced through the turn and took command at the top of the lane with plenty in the tank to stay the belated challenge of stretch running Spadina Road who earned place honours by a neck over Marten Lake. Phil’s Dream, a four-length winner, covered 6 1/2-furlongs in 1:14.74.
Stein, the regular pilot for Phil’s Dream, was full of praise for the seven-year-old gelding that earned honours as Canada’s champion sprinter in 2013.
“He’s always been a consistent horse. He shows up every time and they have him good for as old as he is. He takes care of himself,” said Stein.
Stein was most concerned about the early speed of Paso Doble in putting together his winning trip.
“There wasn’t a lot of speed, but a lot of horses who had been on the lead in easier spots and I didn’t want Paso Doble to get away, so I made sure he knew we were there,” said Stein.
The victory marked the second stakes win of the meet for Stein, who took the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, in June. Stein was thrilled to enter the winner’s circle aboard the classy gelding.
“I love him. I’ve been riding him for a long time. He’s a cool dude. He comes out here, walks around and struts his stuff. He’s very professional,” said Stein.
Phil’s Dream, winner of the Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes in 2013, nearly added a second grassy graded stakes score to his resume in May when second to Lockout in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup.
“He had a little trouble at the quarter pole (in the Connaught Cup) and Justin had to check him. He got him out and come running again and ran a winning race but ended up second best. He was ready today,” said Rick Hayashi, assistant to Buttigieg. ”
Phil’s Dream banked $75,000 in victory while improving his record to 11-8-3 from 24 career starts.
He paid $5.70, $3.30 and $2.70, combining with Spadina Road ($9.40, $6.30) for a $47.30 (8-4) exactor. An 8-4-1 triactor (Marten Lake, $6.70 to show) was worth $242.10, while a $1 Superfecta [8-4-1-6 (Rexton)] came back $2166.55.
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