Amis Gizmo displays new rating ability in Plate Trial

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Amis Gizmo loomed outside the favored Shakhimat on the far turn and then put that one away in the stretch en route to a daylight score Sunday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes, an important prep for the $1 million Queen’s Plate.

Normally a front-runner, Amis Gizmo rated kindly in fourth early on the backstretch under Luis Contreras, as Conquest Cavalry set quick fractions while being tracked by Shakhimat in the nine-furlong event.

Amis Gizmo made up ground on the outside heading into the far turn, and then joined Shakhimat on the lead at the quarter pole before drawing clear to prevail by 2 1/2 lengths. Sir Dudley Digges rallied wide to finish another 1 3/4 lengths back in third in the six-horse field of Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

Amis Gizmo, trained by Josie Carroll, covered the distance in 1:52.12, and returned $6.80 as the second choice in the betting.

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“This horse was perfect,” said Contreras. “He was so nice and calm and relaxed. I could do anything him today. After the break, I took a little hold. I saw Shakhimat, and I just wanted to stay close, to be ready any time he wanted to make his move.”

Amis Gizmo earned $90,000 for owner Ivan Dalos, who said the son of Giant Gizmo had an undisclosed problem when he lost for the first time April 24 in the Wando Stakes, in which he wound up fifth as the favorite.