Amalfi Coast noses Jeanie B in Royal North
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Amalfi Coast ($9.60) rallied along the rail to nail Jeanie B on the wire in Sunday’s $196,000 Royal North Stakes on the Woodbine Oaks undercard.
The Grade 2 sprint was the second consecutive stakes success on the card for jockey Justin Stein and trainer Kevin Attard, who combined to win the $500,800 Oaks with Munnyfor Ro.
Sister Peacock set honest fractions in the six-furlong turf dash, before Jeanie B assumed command in midstretch. Amalfi Coast saved ground in midpack and then kicked in nicely through the final sixteenth to prevail by a nose, in a time of 1:09.15 over the firm ground.
The favored shipper Change of Control finished another half-length back in third in the eight-horse field. Lead Guitar was declared a non-starter after the stewards concluded that she had gotten an unfair start.
“She’s a push-button ride, a very professional horse,” Stein said. “I’ve watched her run, and got to be fortunate enough to ride her and steer her around a few times. When I pull the trigger, she gives me everything she’s got. She came over ready. She’s just a pleasure to be around.”
Amalfi Coast has the distinction of being a 2019 Sovereign Award finalist in three categories, without winning one. The daughter of the late Tapizar collected $126,000 for Terra Racing Stable.