Ride a Comet, under Patrick Husbands, tracked down a freewheeling El Tormenta to take the Charlie Barley Stakes on Queen’s Plate Saturday at Woodbine.
The Charlie Barley, an open one-mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds, offered a purse of $105,200 and drew seven starters.
A son of Candy Ride, Ride a Comet delivered Hall of Fame conditioner Mark Casse his sixth Charlie Barley crown and Husbands his fifth.
El Tormenta stormed to the lead and took his rivals through an opening quarter in :22.61, a half in :45.82, and three-quarters in 1:09.05.
Still in front mid-stretch, El Tormenta and jockey Luis Contreras braced for the challenge of Husbands and Ride a Comet, as the duo quickly cut into the lead on the outside and went on to a 2 ¾-length triumph.
The final time over ‘firm’ going was 1:32.24.
“I thought Sam-Son’s horse (El Tormenta looked really good,” said assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan. “I thought he still had a lot of horse at the top of the turn. But he (Ride A Comet) turns so well.”
It was the fourth career win from eight starts for Ride a Comet, bred by My Meadowview LLC who also co-owns the chestnut with John Oxley.
The Kentucky-bred came into the Charlie Barley off a smart two-length score at seven furlongs over the Toronto oval turf on June 1.
El Tormenta ran gamely to finish second by one length over Elusive Mischief. Flight Deck was fourth.
“Patrick was confident every step of the way,” said Sullivan.
Machtree, Tale of Vienna and Blueblood completed the field.
Ride a Comet returned $6.50, $3.70 and $2.80 and topped a 6-5 exactor with El Tormenta ($5, $3.70) worth $33.90. The 6-5-3 triactor with Elusive Mischief ($3.20) paid $120.80 and the 6-5-3-1 superfecta ending with Flight Deck was worth $364.95 for $1.
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