The Black Album, under Flavien Prat, outdueled a game Inventing Blame to record the win in the Charlie Barley Stakes on Queen’s Plate Saturday at Woodbine.
The Charlie Barley, an open one-mile turf stakes for three-year-olds, offered a purse of $100,000 and drew seven starters.
A French-bred son of Wootton Bassett, The Black Album delivered his fourth win from 10 starts for trainer Rodolphe Brisset and owners Team Valor International and Gary Barber.
Inventing Blame seized the early lead as Mo Speed sat just to his outside, taking their rivals through an opening quarter in :23.98, a half in :46.90, and three-quarters in 1:10.60.
As the field turned for home, Inventing Blame, with jockey Jesse Campbell in the irons, dug in for the challenge of The Black Album. Global Access, the mutuel favourite, began an outside bid in an attempt to track down the leading pair.
Inventing Blame, to the inside, and The Black Album, to the outside, continued to go hoof-to-hoof down the long E.P. Taylor Turf Course, with the latter eventually eking out a head win.
Global Access, who came into the Charlie Barley off a sharp score in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes, had to settle for third place, while Mo Speed was fourth.
The final time over ‘good’ going was 1:34.01.
“We drew a good hole, so from that draw we were able to get a good trip and I think the blinkers helped him quite a bit today,” offered Prat.
It was the first victory from four 2019 starts for The Black Album, who last made a trip to the winner’s circle in the Group 3 Prix La Rochette at Longchamp last September.
The close finish left Prat wondering who hit the wire first.
“I wasn’t sure,” he said with a grin.
The Black Album returned $8.60, $5.10 and $2.90 and topped a 3-2 exactor with Inventing Blame ($7.70, $3.20) worth $64. The 3-2-5 triactor with Global Access ($2.10) paid $75.20 and the 3-2-5-6 superfecta ending with Mo Speed was worth $185.20 for $1.
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
