WOODBINE winds down today. Michael Burns photo
168-162 – Patrick Husbands poised to win Woodbine riders title
PATRICK HUSBANDS is one racing card away from toppling LUIS CONTRERAS as Woodbine’s race-winning leader. Contreras has had the last 3 years. Husbands, who won 89 races last year when injured, is 6 wins in front heading into a 13-race card today.
Contreras won 168 races in 2013, 195 races in 2012 and in 2011 he won 212 races.
Woodbine photo of KINGSPORT heading to the paddock before the Kingarvie
KINGARVIE KING
KINGSPORT, a leggy 2-year-old son of Milwaukee Brew – Green Jewel by Green Dancer, led throughout the 1 1/16 miles and won Saturday’s $125,000 Kingarvie Stakes for Ontario sired 2-year-olds. It was the 4th career start for the colt, who had been ridden in all of his starts by Jesse Campbell. But Campbell was injured earlier on the card and Eurico Rosa da Silva substituted.
Kingspot was 4th in the Frost King Stakes after a stumbling start but relished the longer distance and was strong at the finish. Trained by Sid Attard, the colt is owned by Goldmart Farms, which was earning its 3rd win this year. The colt was bought back from the local yearling sale last year for $9,000, offered by breeder Richard Moylan. In June of this year, the colt worked one furlong in 10 3/5 for the Ocala 2yo sale and was bought for $45,000 by Brandon Rice, agent for Goldmart. Phil’s Cocktail, the Frost King winner, was second and favoured Goodoldhockeygame was third.
The time of 1:46.32 was good for a 73 Beyer Figure.
More from Saturday
The track seemed to play fair throughout the day but large chunks of Polytrack could be seen flying through the air from the start of most races and that has been the norm in recent days as the temperatures have remained cold.
Race 1 was won in front running fashion by the fesity 2yo gelding BRING ON THE BULL, a Giant Gizmo fellow out of Ace It by Cape Canaveral, bred by Denysye McClachrie and Gayle Bosscher and trained by McClachrie. The 2yo gelding was making his 5th career start in this maiden allowance and Gary Boulanger rode again.
This gelding is owned by Shale Wagman and Jim Mazur, the latter who hosts seminars at Woodbine throughout the year and is the owner of Progressive Handicapping, a successful statisticalapproach to betting on the races at various meetings and in various racing series. His winning Beyer for 1:46.51 was 65.
BEARS PERSONALITY was an easy winner of an open 2yo allowance in race 2, stalking a very fast pace set by Cut to the Chase and then going by, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.62, a 64 Beyer Figure. The Kentucky bred by Awesome Again, bred by Adena Springs, had just won his maiden in his 4th career race. He was a $65,000 2yo purchase in Ocala in April by Bear Stables Ltd. amd Reade Baker trains. Jim McAleney rode the winner.
It was out of the gate in this race that the filly Sweet Corinna hopped up at the break and lost Jesse Campbell before racing around the track behind the field.
Race 3- COZY LEAD won his 3rd race in succession and he is owned and trained by Jamie Attard, who claimed the Pulpit gelding for $12,500 in September. This race was also for $12,500 and Patrick Husbands picked up the mount from Jesse Campbell.
Race 4- MELMICH won his 3rd race of the year and 2nd for current interests Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman in this $40,000 optional claiming race. The son of Wilko, bred by Andy Stronach, was ridden by Eurico Rose da Silva. The gelding posted a smart 84 Beyer Figure and Kevin Attard trains.
Race 5- a claiming race for $8,000 for fillies and mares and MISSIN MAGGIE rallied from well back to win for the 2nd time in her 8th race this year, Koyote Stable owns and John LeBlanc trains, It was another win for jockey Boulanger.
Race 6- a maiden 2yo race for $25,000 claiming went to BROADWAY SENSATION, who was last beaten 31 lengths in his debut in August but dropping from maiden allowance for Bruce Lunsford and trainer Barbara Minshall. The son of Zensational was ridden by Luis Contreras and the winning Beyer Figure for 1 1.16 milesin 1:148 was 49.
Race 7 – NORQUAY finally got her first win of the season for Jus Luk, Rick Mah and Reade Baker Racing Stable. This stakes placed grey filly by Fairbanks came from well back to win this 6 1/2 furlong allowance race for fillies and mares with a 74 Beyer Figure. Emma-Jayne Wilson rode, her first of 2 wins on the card. Two Brews to Go pulled up at the wire
Race 9 – MIDNIGHT BALLET, newcomer to the circuit for Stoneway Farms , won this allowance/optional claiming race for trainer Steve Attard. The Midnight Lute 4yo filly was making only her 2nd local start and she had been 7th in the Bessarabian Stakes. She had missed a year of racing from April of 2013 to this May and she has had 4 different trainers in her career.
Race 10 – a wild finish to this maiden allowance made things exciting for bettors who played the mandatory payout of the Jihj 5 but they had to hold all tickets at the finish.
45 to 1 shot FORTIS rallied 4 wide to win the 6 1/2 furlong dash for Ontario sired guys but he drifted in through the stretch and interfered with Mighty Samson. Fortis was disqualified from the win to 5th place.
Placed first was MINERS DANCE, who came from far back and rode the rail all the way under Emma-Jayne Wilson, who never gave up on the 12 to 1 shot and got 2nd, thus earning the win. The Old Forester gelding is owned and bred by Phil Lanning and trained by Ron Sadler.
With 80 to 1 shot SPRING HEELED JACK finishing second for Richard and Ann cadger, the High 5 paid $115,000 for a 2o cent bet.
CANADIAN BREDS CASH IN CROWN
Canadian breds SAFFRON HALL (Giant’s Causeway) and BEST BEHAVIOR (Into Mischief) were among the winners in the Claiming Crown series on opening day at Gulfstream Park yesterday.
SAFFRON HALL was one of two winners for Ken and Sarah Ramsay and trainer Mike Maker, who invade Woodbine today with 3 entrants in the Valdeictory Stakes.
http://www.drf.com/news/saffron-hall-gives-maker-ramseys-record-14th-claiming-crown-victory
