While trainer Kevin Attard was packing up at Keeneland after starting Moira and Last Call in Breeders’ Cup races, his team at Woodbine was preparing an army of 2-year-olds to contest the $253,000 Coronation Futurity, the most significant race for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds.
At 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta, the Coronation had a huge field of 14 led by Cup and Saucer Stakes winner Philip My Dear, one of the Attard trainees.
The 119th Coronation began with Al and Bill Ulwelling’s homebred VELOCITOR, another of the Attard trainees but a longshot at 21-to-1, setting off to the early lead in his first attempt at a route distance. A 2-time winner from his first four races, Velocitor was eager to go under jockey Justin Stein, the fourth different rider for the dark bay colt. Stein slowed Velocitor (Mor Spirit – Polar Plunge by Successful Appeal) down, backing up the field behind him.
Racing close to the advantageous rail path, which has given an edge to horses at Woodbine for several weeks now, Velocitor held a half-length advantage over Battle Strike through an opening quarter reached in :24.88, with Stayhonor Goodside positioned in third followed by Gran Spirited.
Velocitor was a head in front of that same rival through a half in :50.56, as Philip My Dear moved into third spot on the outside along the backstretch.
Running comfortably on the front end by a half-length through three-quarters, Velocitor soon had rivals on both sides attempting to reel him in, but the colt battled on gamely down the lane to hold on for a neck win over a hard-charging Twin City, a Klimt colt for Stuart Simon and the McLellan family who had some traffic issues. Philip My Dear was third; J’adoro was fourth.
The final time over the Tapeta was 1.52.00, resulting in a modest 66 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form.
“I was looking at his form previous to the race and I know that he had natural speed sprinting,” said Stein. “First time going two turns, I figured his best bet would be to try and get him to relax on the lead. He was very relaxed and travelling comfortably within himself. He looks to me like a router. He has that kind of physique.”
Velocitor is the fourth foal to race from the mare Polar Plunge, who won 8 of 26 races and five stakes for the Ulwellings. Polar Plunge is a half-sister to the Ulwellings’ stakes winner Shakopee Town.
Polar Plunge was sold in 2021 for $6,000 to Pillar Property Services.
Velocitor is the first stakes winner for first-year sire MOR SPIRIT a son of Eskendereya and winner of the grade 1 Met Mile. Velocitor has 3 wins from 5 races and has earned $297,500.
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