Ultraflame saved all the ground under jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson before surging up the rail to a convincing first stakes win in Wednesday night’s $125,000 Deputy Minister Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by John Ross for his J R Racing Stable, the ultra-consistent Ultraflame has finished off the board just once in nine career starts. The Deputy Minister, a seven furlong tilt for Ontario-sired sophomores, was the sixth attempt at winning an added-money event for the Old Forester bay after trying his luck in the Clarendon (5th), Simcoe (3rd), Frost King (2nd), Queenston (3rd) and Bold Ruckus (3rd.)
Sent to post as the 5-2 second choice in the Deputy Minister, Ultraflame secured position from his inside post in a field of five but was shuffled back after pacesetter Ruth Less Blue ducked in slightly coming out of the chute. Ruth Less Blue set splits of :23.28 and :46.05 under pressure from race favourite Songs and Laughter, with Wilson content to wait for racing room along the rail.
Aye Aye Captain and Conquest Cavalry launched menacing runs through the turn but when Ruth Less Blue faded off the rail in the turn for home, Ultraflame surged through and drew off to a 1 3/4-length score. Aye Aye Captain held second by a neck over Conquest Cavalry. Ultraflame covered seven furlongs in 1:23.71.
Wilson, aboard Ultraflame for the first time, was able to work out a good trip for the talented bay.
“The first eighth of a mile was a little tricky. We got settled into position and Michelle Rainford’s horse (Ruth Less Blue) ducked at the gap. It took a second to get reorganized and recalculated, but it was the trip I was looking to get,” said Wilson.
The victory marked the fourth stakes win of the meet for Wilson and second in combination with Ross having previously won the New Providence Stakes with R U Watchingbud. Ross offered a few key comments to Wilson in the walking ring.
“He just said he was an honest, hard trying horse who kept knocking at the door. He had faith in his abilities and said to give him a nice warm up,” said Wilson. “He was really classy and professional in the warm up, and when the gates opened up he did everything I asked of him.”
Ross, who won the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday with Lokinforpursemonee, was pleased with the trip engineered by Wilson.
“I have to give credit to Emma for a great ride, sneaking through on the inside. It’s the first time she’d ever ridden him and she just figured out the horse so well,” said Ross.
Ultraflame, bred in Ontario by Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms, banked $75,000 in victory while improving his record to 3-2-3 from nine starts.
She paid $7.60, $4.30 and $3, combining with Aye Aye Captain ($5.30, $3.80) for a $30.40 (1-4) exactor. A 1-4-5 triactor (Conquest Cavalry, $3.20 to show) was worth $73.
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