Young Ontario stallions AMIS GIZMO and DANISH DYNAFORMER had their first stakes winners Sunday at Woodbine. ZIPPY GIZMO (Amis Gizmo) charged to victory in the $100,000 Bull Page Stakes for Ontario-sired two-year-old colts and geldings for Ivan Dalos and trainer Kevin Attard and WAR PAINTER (Danish Dynaformer), also trained by Attard, won the $100,000 Victorian Queen Stakes for juvenile fillies. War Painter is the first stakes winner for the new ownership syndicate, Canuck Racing Club.
Both Amis Gizmo (Giant Gizmo) and Danish Dynaformer (Dynaformer) are represented by their second crop this year.
Zippy Gizmo, who won his maiden in his grass debut on Aug. 27, moved to the inside in late stretch and was up for a neck win under Kazushi Kimura in the 7-furlong turf race.
Brave Dancer (Frac Daddy) finished a half-length ahead of Summer Commander for second. Bearing Down, Meko Makee and Yacht Boy rounded out the field.
The final time was 1:22.77 over a “firm” E.P. Taylor turf.
“I’m definitely really proud of him,” said trainer Kevin Attard. “We had the opportunity to work him out on the training track turf a while back and I thought he worked phenomenal out there. When the opportunity arose to get him out on the grass, he obviously broke his maiden. I thought he looked pretty impressive doing it. He’s not a big horse, but he’s got a lot of heart and he showed a lot of grit today.”
Zippy Gizmo is now two-for-four with over $90,000 in earnings. His sire also won the Bull Page Stakes and went on to be named Champion three-year-old colt in 2016. Amis Gizmo stands at T C Westmeath Stud in Shelburne for a $4,000 fee.
“This is so special,” said Colleen Dalos, Director of Tall Oaks Farm. “As you know, we’ve been supporting Ontario, we have five stallions here. He’s come from our flagship Victory Gallop line. Amis Gizmo is relatively new, this is his first stakes winner and we’re starting to see some amazing Amis Gizmos. We’re excited about it and the first is always really special.”
Zippy Gizmo is the second foal of Avie’s Zip, an unplaced half-sister to four winners. Third dam Fly for Avie won the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes.
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War Painter came from last to win the Victorian Queen under Patrick Husbands and her time of 1:21.70 for seven furlongs on turf was quicker than Zippy Gizmo’s time. Purchased for $30,000 at the Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale in Kentucky last fall from breeder Charles Fipke, War Painter had many strong workouts before she debuted on July 29. She was a fast-closing second that day and then third behind colts in her most recent race. Sent off at a hefty 4-to-1, War Painter flew past favoured Olivia Rose (Silent Name (Jpn)) to win by a length.
Canuck Racing Club, organized by bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, is a partnership that includes several new owners.
“A lot of guys are new to the game, some have had previous experience, so it’s just a great way for people to get involved in a great sport and own a small fractional share of a horse,” said Attard of the Canuck Racing Club. “Now, we’re in the winner’s circle with a stakes winner in the first year. A pretty good start.”
Danish Dyanformer, who won the Breeders’ Stakes, stands at Humber Stables in Ridgeway for $2,500. War Painter’s dam Morning Tale, by Tale of Ekati, was a two-time winner and she has produced one other winner from five named foals.
Third dam Morning Devotion produced English champion Balanchine, who won the Irish Derby (G1) and English Oaks (G1).
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Last week was a big one for Kazushi Kimura, who won 7 races which brings his total to 92 for the Woodbine meeting. Rafael Hernandez has 75 and Sahin Civaci has 70.
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