Woodbine: Up With the Birds delivers as favorite in Marine Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Up With the Birds became the probable favorite for the July 7 Queen’s Plate with a decisive score Sunday at Woodbine in the $168,900 Marine Stakes, which was won last year by eventual Plate winner Strait of Dover.

The favored Up With the Birds ($4.40) trailed in the field of five 3-year-olds early, then mounted a wide rally on the far turn before drawing away for a 4 3/4-length triumph. His time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.82.

New York invader Winning Cause rallied inside and into traffic exiting the far turn before finding room and finishing gamely for the place. Five Iron wound up a clear third after putting away the other two speed horses through fast splits.

Eurico Da Silva rode Up With the Birds for Sam-Son Farms and trainer Malcolm Pierce.

“He came into the race in good order,” Pierce said. “Timing-wise, he had plenty of space between his races. Eurico did a good job getting him to the outside going down the backside. I’d always rather be on the outside, where it seems like you have an advantage. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that he stays healthy and happy for six more weeks.”