Toronto, ON – Roderick Ferguson’s Southdale won his second consecutive race and first added-money event, in taking Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine.
The 1 1/16-mile Polytrack event was just the fifth lifetime start for the four-year-old colt, trained by Ian Black and ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson.
A son of Street Cry, Southdale prevailed by three-quarters of a length over Stunning Stag, who won the Eclipse Prep on May 14. Fatal Bullet, Canada’s Horse of the Year and Top Sprinter in 2008, was third.
The Eclipse marked just the second stakes appearance for Southdale, who finished a neck back of eventual 2009 Queen’s Plate champion Eye of the Leopard, in last May’s Plate Trial. An injury suffered in the Plate Trial shelved the dark bay for almost a year of racing, but the Ontario-bred proved today he’s back and better than ever.
“We’ve always been so pleased with Ian, who has trained him so well,” said Ferguson, who also bred Southdale. “He’s been very patient.”
Southdale, who travelled 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.77, was fourth after a quarter-mile in :25.17 and a half in :49.62.
A half-length behind champion mutuel favourite Fatal Bullet, who was testing two turns for the first time in his career, at the stretch call, Southdale continued to apply pressure and struck front at the mid-point of the lane.
“He’s always had such tremendous talent,” offered Black. “We loved him as a two-year-old. He certainly has a future.”
Southdale, who took a six-furlong ‘Poly’ race on May 8, now has three wins, one second and one third from five starts.
He returned $8.40, $5.10 and $3.60, combining with Stunning Stag ($6.90, $4.10) for a $59.50 exactor. Fatal Bullet ($3.60) completed a $203.80 triactor.
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