Rexton, the second longest shot in the six-horse field, made every pole a winning one while pulling off a 15-1 upset in the OLG Kenora Stakes, Wednesday at Woodbine.
The six furlong Kenora, presented by the H.B.P.A. of Ontario, appeared on paper to be a three-horse contest among Spadina Road (8-5), Bear No Joke (2-1) and Marten Lake (2-1) for three-year-olds and upward.
But jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan had other ideas, as he gunned the John Mattine-trained Rexton immediately to the front, clicking off fractions of :22.55 and :45.26. After turning for home a length in front, Rexton then gamely held sway through the lane, holding off Bear No Joke on the outside and Spadina Road on the rail to prevail by a diminishing half-length in 1:09.43 over the Polytrack.
It was the second victory in five starts this year, but the first stakes win for the five-year-old son of Philanthropist. It was also the first stakes win for veteran trainer Mattine.
“That was the game plan (going to the front),” explained Bridgmohan. “John’s done a great job with this horse. He just ran his race. He’s just real fast. I was confident when he was on the lead. He’s got a big heart. He ran great.”
Rexton paid $32.60, $10.30 and $5.90.
Live racing continues Friday at Woodbine. First post is 1 p.m.
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