Heavy favourite Mr Havercamp, with Eurico Rosa Da Silva up, rallied to notch his first added-money win in taking Saturday’s $125,000 Vice Regent Stakes, at Woodbine.
The three-year-old son of Court Vision came into the one-mile feature off a difficult trip in the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes, an effort that saw him finish fifth over the Saratoga turf on September 2.
On a picture-perfect day at the Toronto oval, Mr Havercamp, trained by Catherine Day Phillips, was back in the winner’s circle again.
Silent Empire and Dragon’s Cry were the early leaders in the Vice Regent, taking their rivals through an opening quarter of :23.77. Mr Havercamp, who broke awkwardly, was settled in seventh spot in the field of eight starters (Signature Data was scratched).
It was status quo up front after a half-mile in :46.35, but as the field turned for home, Da Silva summoned Mr Havercamp for his best run as Dragon’s Cry was tasked with trying to ward off the favourite.
Sent off at 2-5, Mr Havercamp, bred by Sean Fitzhenry, who also owns the dark bay with his wife Dorothy, crossed the wire a one-length winner in a time of 1:33.82 over ‘firm’ ground. Late-charging King and His Court rallied for second, while Dragon’s Cry bested Silent Jimmie by a nose for show honours.
It was a return to winning form for Mr. Havercamp, who had won his previous two starts at Woodbine prior to the Saranac, a race Day Phillips won in 2005 with Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Jambalaya.
The gelding, who broke his maiden first time out courtesy of an emphatic 3 ½-length score on July 21, now sports a record of 3-0-0 from four starts.
Mr Havercamp paid $2.80, $2.10 and $2.10, combining with King and His Court ($3.30, $2.20) for a $7.60 (2-6) exactor. A 2-6-9 triactor (Dragon’s Cry, $2.50 to show) was worth $16.90, while a $1 Superfecta [2-6-9-8 (Silent Jimmie)] came back $21.25.
Tesseron trounces Turf Endurance Series rivals
Just like the recent weather that’s dominated the Toronto area, Tesseron is turning up the heat in the Woodbine Turf Endurance Series after a thoroughly dominant win on Saturday.
A grey son of Tapit, Tesseron, under a confident Emma-Jayne Wilson, strutted away from his rivals with ease down the long E.P. Taylor Turf Course, securing his second straight score and third triumph in his past four starts.
It was 51-1 outsider O Wanderlust, under Davy Moran, who took immediate control of the 1 5/8-mile race, with Wilson and Tesseron keeping close tabs on the pacesetter from second spot through a half-mile in :55.16.
Things remained status quo after a mile timed in 1:46.08, as Tesseron waited for his cue from Wilson. As the field rounded the turn for home, the champion rider called on the second choice on the toteboard and he responded with a lightning-quick move to assume control, then widened his advantage at will to win by five lengths.
Sine Metu was second, while O Wanderlust and Liddyup were third and fourth, respectively.
The final time was 2:44.51, contested over ‘firm’ going.
It was the sixth career triumph from 25 starts for the Kentucky-bred gelding, trained by Harold Ladoucer. Bred by Magalen O. Bryant, Tesseron has three wins and a pair of thirds from six starts on the campaign.
The seven-year-old, who received 10 points for the win, now has 25 after the third leg of four races in the series, 10 clear of closet rival Sine Metu, who has 15 points.
The series, which began in July, concludes on October 22 with the final 2-1/4 mile marathon event. At stake is a $15,000 bonus and trophy for the winning connections of the point leader.
Open to any horse with preference given to horses with the most points, Turf Endurance Series horses earn points each race: 1st = 10 points, 2nd = 7 points, 3rd = 5 points, 4th = 3 points, 5th = 2 points, all other entrants = 1 point.
Tesseron paid $5.80, $3.40 and $2.70, combining with Sine Metu ($7, $4.40) for a $27.90 (3-5) exactor. A 3-5-6 triactor (O Wanderlust, $11.40 to show) was worth $391. A $1 Superfecta of 3-5-6-7 (Liddyup) returned $921.05.
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