Autumn Stakes important race for Golden Sabre
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Golden Sabre showed what he can do with a clean trip in his most recent start in the Grade 3 Durham Cup Stakes on Oct. 3 and will look to make it two wins in a row in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Autumn Stakes at Woodbine.
The 1 1/16-mile Polytrack race has significant implications for the Canadian older male division, as Golden Sabre, Florida Won, and Are You Kidding Me each could make a case for divisional honors with a strong performance.
Golden Sabre had trouble in the stretch while finishing second in the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes and Grade 2 Sky Classic Stakes, but he set a 1 1/8-mile Polytrack record with a clean trip in the Durham Cup. Trained by Malcolm Pierce, Golden Sabre has been working up a storm. He’s recorded two bullet works since the Durham Cup, most recently covering four furlongs in 47 seconds flat last Saturday.
Key contenders
Golden Sabre (Last 3 Beyers: 101-96-96)
◗ He’s been first or second in all four of his starts since being gelded last winter.
◗ He breaks from post 8 in a field of nine, and his outside draw should allow him to stay out of trouble.
◗ He came six wide in the Durham Cup under jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, who retains the mount.
Lukes Alley (Last 3 Beyers: 97-93-98)
◗ Last year’s Canadian champion older male might be ready for a peak effort while making his third start of the season and defending his title in this race. He finished second to Golden Sabre in the Durham Cup.
◗ Like Golden Sabre, he’s prepped for this race with a pair of bullet works.
Florida Won (Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-98)
◗ He saved ground toward the rear of the field early in the Durham Cup but was steadied in the stretch after attempting to split horses.
◗ He had won his two starts prior to the Durham Cup, including the Grade 3 Seagram Cup on Aug. 2.
Are You Kidding Me (Last 3 Beyers: 96-89-95)
◗ He could be circling back to the form he showed in winning the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes at this distance on Polytrack in June.
◗ He battled Lukes Alley down the lane in the Durham Cup but couldn’t hold off that rival in the final strides and finished third.