Alpha Bettor eyes three-peat in Seagram Cup
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Alpha Bettor will be looking to capture his third straight Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes when he takes on five other older males at Woodbine on Sunday.
Alpha Bettor comes into the Seagram Cup off a 2 1/4-length victory in a seven-furlong allowance prep July 6, when he earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure, one point off his career-best number.
Sky Captain, the winner of this year’s Dominion Day Handicap, and Pender Harbour, who finished second behind Alpha Bettor last time out, will pose serious threats to Alpha Bettor.
Rounding out the field are His Race to Win, Peyton, and Ultimate Destiny, who was supplemented to the race by owner/trainer Alec Fehr.
The card also includes the $125,000 Nandi Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.
Seagram Cup, Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Alpha Bettor (Last 3 Beyers: 99-91-92)
◗ Alpha Bettor is a 1 1/16-mile specialist, having won 8 of 14 starts at the distance on Woodbine’s Polytrack. Four of the eight wins have come in graded stakes.
◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer Daniel Vella is at 18 percent from 39 starters in graded stakes over the past five years, with a return on investment of $3.28.
Pender Harbour (Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-93)
◗ Pender Harbour stumbled at the start in the July 6 allowance but recovered nicely and was coming on strong late. Like Alpha Bettor, Pender Harbour excels at 1 1/16 miles, with a 4-for-9 record, but he’s still seeking his first graded stakes score.
◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer Michael De Paulo and jockey Luis Contreras have combined to win 39 percent of their 18 starts together in stakes over the past five years, with an ROI of $2.16.
Sky Captain (Last 3 Beyers: 91-87-81)
◗ Sky Captain is undefeated in 2014 and beat Frac Daddy in the Grade 3 Dominion Day Handicap over 1 1/4 miles last time out.
◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands have won 33 percent of their 24 starts together in synthetic routes at the graded-stakes level over the past five years, with an ROI of $3.36.
Nandi Stakes, Race 4
KEY CONTENDERS
Brooklynsway (Last Beyer: 56)
◗ Brooklynsway was heavily bet off a 20-1 morning line in her career debut in the Shady Well Stakes on July 13 and finished a determined third. She’s one of four maidens in the Nandi.
◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer John Ross has excelled with 2-year-olds over the past two seasons, winning 26 percent of his 42 starts for a $2.85 ROI.
Mel’s Ring (Last 2 Beyers: 68-63)
◗ Mel’s Ring should be able to use her speed from the rail and was able to pull away from Ontario-sired maidens last time out.
◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer Ralph Biamonte has also had success with 2-year-olds, winning 29 percent of his 201 starts with juveniles over the past five years for an ROI of $3.13.
Quidi Vidi (Last 2 Beyers: 64-37)
◗ Quidi Vidi has closed strongly in her last two outings, finishing second behind Shady Well Stakes winner Starless Night last time out. The added ground should only benefit her, and she will have some speed to set up her closing kick.