Artie's Storm notches upset in Eclipse Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Artie’s Storm ran down Canadian champions Frosted Over and Mighty Heart in the stretch to post a 7-1 upset in Sunday’s $201,950 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine.
Artie’s Storm, under David Moran, sat a good trip in third in the 1 1/16-mile route that contained all the leading older Tapeta routers on the grounds.
Favored Mighty Heart set an honest pace with second choice Frosted Over chasing him throughout. Frosted Over assumed command at the head of the stretch before giving way late to Artie’s Storm, who prevailed by a length in a posted final time of 1:42.40.
Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart gave way grudgingly to finish another two lengths back in third. Riptide Rock, Seventyseven Stone and Special Forces completed the order of finish in the Grade 2 fixture.
Artie’s Storm ($17.10) was making his first start of the year off some blazing works where he was ridden by Moran.
“The only thing we were worrying about was the horse running two turns off the shelf against these type of horses,” Moran said. “We didn’t really get a prep for him, but his breezes were amazing. I used to look forward to getting into my car on Monday mornings just to come down to breeze him.
“He settled lovely off the pace. I was happy at the three-eighths that nobody was pressuring me, so I was able to be a little bit more patient. Once I got him straightened up, he kicked in like he always does.”
A 4-year-old son of We Miss Artie, Artie’s Storm earned $126,000 for Buttigieg Training Center and trainer Paul Buttigieg.