Woodbine: Uncaptured looks to add to credentials in Swynford Stakes

Michael Burns

Uncaptured, winner of the Vandal Stakes, will try to stay perfect in Sunday's $150,000 Swynford Stakes at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Six of the last 14 winners of the $150,000 Swynford Stakes were eventually crowned champion 2-year-old in Canada, which includes subsequent Grade 1 winners Mine That Bird and Exciting Story. The unbeaten Uncaptured will continue in his attempt to add his name to the honor roll Sunday at Woodbine in the 57th running of the seven-furlong sprint.

Uncaptured, a $290,000 yearling purchase by John Oxley, eked out a win in a quality maiden special when he debuted over 4 1/2 furlongs in May. He went on to take the 5 1/2-furlong Clarendon Stakes with a whopping 96 Beyer Speed Figure, the second-highest Beyer earned by a 2-year-old in North America this year.

Uncaptured led most of the way July 28 to capture the six-furlong Vandal Stakes over the well-regarded River Seven. The debuting third-place finisher, Oxley’s Dynamic Sky, returned to win the Simcoe Stakes.

Uncaptured galloped out strongly after his five-furlong breeze in 1:01.60 on Aug. 24, when the son of Lion Heart worked with the older Grade 1 winner Pool Play.

“He’s doing really well,” Casse said. “He worked extremely well [Aug. 24]. I think he’ll [go long]. He’s just so relaxed. He does whatever you want him to do. With his breeding, he shouldn’t have any problem with seven furlongs.”

Patrick Husbands was named to ride Uncaptured.

Five Iron led throughout a six-furlong maiden special before galloping out well in his only start under Alex Solis on July 22. He was awarded a 67 Beyer.

Trainer Brian Lynch sent out Five Iron for a six-furlong work in a rapid 1:11.80 on Aug. 26.

“He’s trained up to the race lovely,” Lynch said. “We got a nice three-quarters [work] into him. He’s always shown he’s a very forward horse, very mature for his age. Physically, he’s a very strong type of a colt. This is his opportunity to take the next step forward for us.”

Dan the Tin Man was a well-beaten fourth when he debuted in the open Victoria Stakes on June 16. Three weeks later, he graduated by five lengths in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special, receiving an 81 Beyer.

Dan the Tin Man spun his wheels on the dirt Aug. 12 in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, finishing 42 lengths behind victorious Spurious Precision. He breezed five-eighths in a bullet 1:00.20 last Sunday for trainer Ricky Griffith.

Rounding out the field are the Casse trainees Platitude and Brilliant Comet, who was supplemented for $3,000. There will be no show wagering.