Monday’s Yearling Sales Stakes program at Woodbine was highlighted by a Mark Casse triactor in the Simcoe Stakes and the son of a three-time Halton Stakes winner taking the very same race.
Among the day’s notable results, headlined by six added-money features, Mark Casse watched Dynamic Sky, Honorable Guest and Star Contender finish one-two-three in the $200,800 Simcoe, with the Casse ‘tri’ returning $165.50.
Welloiledmachine, a four-year-old son of champion Mobil, who won the Halton in 2003, 2004 and 2005, covered one mile over a ‘firm’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course in the 21st running of the event, in 1:34.34, winning by 1 ¾ lengths.
Five different jockeys won a stake: Luis Contreras (Elgin, Simcoe), Richard Dos Ramos (Algoma), Eurico Rosa da Silva (Muskoka), Jim McAleney (Halton) and Patrick Husbands (Kenora).
Aside from Casse, Mike De Paulo, Sam Di Pasquale, Ralph Biamonte, Mike Keogh and Sid Attard were the other trainers to make a trip to the winner’s circle.
The following are recaps of the day’s stakes events.
Pender Harbour powerful in Elgin
Pender Harbour, under Luis Contreras, was much the best in taking the $125,000 Elgin Stakes.
Owned by Denny Andrews, Sandra Lazaruk and Bob and Roberta Giffin, Pender Harbour, the 1-5 mutuel favourite, covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.74 over the Polytrack, as the chestnut four-year-old son of Philanthropist won by 5 ¾ lengths over Medidocihospisurg was second. Opening Meet was third.
It was the first triumph for the multiple stakes winner since a two-length score in the Steady Growth Stakes on June 17.
After being fanned wide into the first turn, Pender Harbour engaged Soda On the Side as the duo took the field through a quarter-mile in :25.29 and a half timed in :49.51, before the million-dollar earner began to widen his advantage with ease.
Pender Harbour paid $2.50 and $2.10, combining with Medidocihospisurg ($6.10) for a $19.50 exactor. The triactor returned $67.90. There was no show or superfecta wagering.
Tee Game at the fore in Algoma
Tee Game opened up a four-length lead down the backstretch and had plenty in reserve to hold off Casa Loma to win the $125,000 Algoma Stakes.
The five-year-old grey daughter of El Corredor-Steph’s Tee, trained and co-owned by Sam Di Pasquale and ridden by Richard Dos Ramos, avenged a narrow neck loss in this event last year to Euro Platinum with a sparkling front-running effort.
Tee Game set splits of :24.92 and :49.18 in the 1 1/16-mile main-track event with Casa Loma stalking off her right flank. Dos Ramos opened the grey mare up a notch down the backstretch, taking a four-length advantage into the turn, and powered home a two and a quarter-length winner in 1:45.78.
Tee Game, bred in Ontario by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc., improved her record to six wins, six seconds and four thirds from 33 lifetime starts.
She returned $8.60, $4 and $2.60, pairing with Casa Loma ($3.50, $2.40) for a $24.90 (1-6) exactor. A 1-6-7 (Awfully Sinful, $3.70 to show) triactor was worth $128. Simple as That and It’s Gail were scratched.
‘Sky’ is the limit for Casse in Simcoe
Dynamic Sky, with Luis Contreras in the irons, eked out a head victory over even-money favourite Honorable Guest, as Mark Casse trainees finished one-two-three in the $200,800 Simcoe Stakes.
Owned by John Oxley, Dynamic Sky, at 6-1, made his second start a winning one, after finishing third in his career bow, the Vandal Stakes, on July 28.
The son of Sky Mesa covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.70 over the Polytrack, besting Honorable Guest, with stablemate, first-time starter Star Contender, finishing third.
Dynamic Sky, eighth of 10 after a quarter-mile in :22.93 and fifth through a half-mile in :46.79, continued to rally and was able to wear down a game Honorable Guest in the final strides.
He paid $14.60, $5.40, combining with Honorable Guest ($2.60, $2.10) for a $35.20 exactor. Star Contender ($3.90) completed a $165.50 triactor. A $1 superfecta returned $331.60.
‘Message’ loud and clear in Muskoka
Cryptic Message made every pole a winning one to take the $200,000 Muskoka Stakes for two-year-old fillies.
The bay daughter of Cryptograph-Abby 0, trained by Ralph Biamonte and ridden by Eurico Rosa da Silva, blasted out of the gate from post nine, setting splits of :22.30 and :45.78 en route to a three and three-quarter length win in the six and a half-furlong ‘Poly’ sprint in 1:19.36. Evangeline’s Hope was up for place in front of Sarah Her Highness.
Biamonte was pleased with the effort of his filly who entered the Muskoka with a perfect three-for-three record that included scores in the Shady Well and Nandi Stakes.
Cryptic Message, bred in Ontario by Barry and Helen Irving, maintained her perfect record while banking $120,000 for owners C.E.C Farms.
She returned $3.60, $2.80 and $2.40, pairing with Evangeline’s Hope ($9, $5.80) for a $41.20 (10-6) exactor. A 10-6-3 (Sarah Her Highness, $5.90 to show) triactor was worth $293.90. A 10-6-3-11 superfecta (Philzana) returned $1,629.15. Dancing Bay was scratched.
Welloiledmachine revs to Halton score
Welloiledmachine, owned by Christine and Dennis Windsor, turfed his rivals in the $125,400 Halton Stakes.
Trained by Mike Keogh and ridden by Jim McAleney, Welloiledmachine, at 5-2, won his second consecutive race after a three-quarter length victory on the Toronto oval Polytrack (taken off the grass) on July 28.
The four-year-old son of champion Mobil, who won the Halton in 2003, 2004 and 2005, covered one mile over a ‘firm’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course in 1:34.34, winning by 1 ¾ lengths. Aldous Snow was second, while Celtic Conviction was third.
Welloiledmachine paid $7, $3.60 and $2.80, combining with Aldous Snow ($2.90, $2.30) for a $17.40 exactor. Celtic Conviction ($3.20) completed a $39.90 triactor. A $1 superfecta returned $157.25.
Bear’s Chill ices Kenora rivals
Bear’s Chill closed into a frantic pace to win the $125,000 Kenora Stakes for three-year-olds and upwards.
The bay son of Artie Schiller-Silver Nithi, trained by Sid Attard and ridden by Patrick Husbands, sat off early splits of :21.91 and :44.97 set by Crowns Dynasty and Red Eagle, before closing wide through the turn to put away Bear No Joke and win the six-furlong stake in 1:11.42. Bear No Joke held on for place money over Menlo Castle.
Bear’s Chill banked $75,000 in victory, improving his record to four wins and two seconds from 11 lifetime starts.
He returned $7.60, $3.80 and $2.50, pairing with Bear No Joke ($3.80, $2.30) for a $22.70 (7-4) exactor. A 7-4-6 (Menlo Castle, $2.50 to show) triactor was worth $60.10. A 7-4-6-5 superfecta (Red Eagle) returned $73.75. Casa Loma was scratched.
Racing continues on Wednesday evening. First post is 6:45 p.m.
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