Rahy’s Attorney, the 2008 Woodbine Mile champion, defended his Bunty Lawless Stakes crown in style, taking Saturday’s $125,000 added-money feature for the third time.
The Ontario-bred, who is trained by Ian Black and was ridden by Slade Callaghan, entered the Ontario-sired event off a second-place finish to recent Grade 3 Knickerbocker winner Violon Sacre, in the PTHA President’s Cup at Philadelphia Park on September 18.
A six-year-old gelded son of Crown Attorney, Rahy’s Attorney bested a game Sand Cove, the 2008 Bunty Lawless winner, for the second consecutive year, while Halton Stakes champion Guipago edged out Mobthewarrior for third. The margin of victory was 3 ¼ lengths.
Rahy’s Attorney, who also took the 2007 running of the race, completed the one-mile event over a turf course rated ‘good’ in 1:36.36. Callaghan and Rahy’s Attorney broke comfortably to the inside and engaged early pacesetter Guipago, leading the field through an opening quarter-mile in :25-flat, before cutting a half-mile in :49.42. Sand Cove took aim at Rahy’s Attorney before the turn for home, but couldn’t get by his rival down the long E.P. Taylor Turf Course stretch. “It felt great,” said Callaghan, who was aboard Rahy’s Attorney for the Woodbine Mile score. “He ran really well today. He ran like the champion he is.”
Sporting a record of 12-for-34, Rahy’s Attorney, who won Sovereign Award honours as Canada’s top turf male in 2008, has a record of two wins and three seconds from eight starts this year. “We haven’t overused him,” said Black, of the horse’s consistent ways. “We’ve spaced out his races and tried to look after him.” Black noted Rahy’s Attorney, owned by Ellie Boje Farm, Jim and Jean MacLellan, Mitch Peters and Dean Read, will likely be done for the year.
Rahy’s Attorney paid $3.40, $2.20, combining with Sand Cove ($2.80) for a $6.20 exactor. Guipago completed a $15.50 triactor. There was no show wagering available.
Racing resumes Sunday, highlighted by two added-money features: the Mobil Stakes and the Fanfreluche Stakes. First post is 1:00 p.m.