Don't Be So Salty holds off late charge to win Display

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The sharp New York invader Don’t Be So Salty held off a charging Greatest Game to take the $125,000 Display Stakes for 2-year-olds Sunday, closing day at Woodbine.

Don’t Be So Salty ($9.80) led the way in the 1 1/16-mile route, setting honest fractions under Emma-Jayne Wilson. Greatest Game saved ground in third and made a strong bid along the rail in the stretch, but Don’t Be So Salty dug in during the final furlong to win by a neck in a quick 1:43.60.

Crescent Drive edged out the 2-1 favorite Bear’sway for third in the eight-horse field.

Trainer Gary Contessa said Don’t Be So Salty has overcome an eye problem to be a productive runner.

“He lost the vision in his right eye as a baby,” said Contessa. “He’s learned to deal with it. I’m just glad [Greatest Game] came up the inside because that was his good eye. “I thought speed was good today, and I told Emma in the paddock, ‘If they give [the lead] to you, I want you take it,’ so we went for it.”

Don’t Be So Salty earned $75,000 in his first stakes victory for the partnership of Platinum Seven LLC, Dan Guarino, and Julia Boutelle.