Bangkok, Unikat square off again in Breeders’ Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After an impressive 6 1/2-length maiden win July 25 in which he earned a career-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure, Bangkok will return to turf to face Unikat in Sunday’s $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes, the final jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.
Bangkok and Unikat met July 9, and Unikat got the upper hand, defeating Bangkok by 3 3/4 lengths over 1 1/4 miles on a turf course that was listed as “good.” Despite the defeat, trainer Phil Gracey was pleased with Bangkok’s effort.
“It was only his second start of the year, and he ran well,” he said. “I think he’s going to come back with a better effort this time.”
Bangkok excelled in his next start, cutting back in distance on Polytrack. He took command at the top of the stretch and drew off from his rivals.
“We’ve always liked this horse, and we were having trouble getting races to go,” Gracey said. “We finally got him good, and he did what I thought he would do.”
While the 1 1/2-mile distance could be especially taxing for some horses in this field, Gracey said it won’t be an issue for Bangkok.
“I’ve always thought he’d go that far,” he said. “He’ll relax and sit, and that’s what they have to do going that far.”
Unikat could be the favorite as the field loads for the Breeders’ Stakes, and trainer Brian Lynch is hoping he gets a little give in the turf course Sunday.
“We had a bit of rain before [his last start], so I think he appreciated that the turf had a little bit of give to it,” he said. “I don’t think he can run with a real hard, fast turf course, so it would be nice that we get a little bit of rain before the Breeders’. It certainly seems like he enjoys the sting out of the ground a little bit.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Unikat (Last 3 Beyers: 74-73-52)
◗ Unikat appears to be bred to get the distance, as he’s by Galileo out of a Giant’s Causeway mare. He’s already made a start at 1 1/2 miles on turf back in March, finishing third.
◗ FORMULATOR FACT: Jockey David Moran is Woodbine’s leading rider on turf with 12 wins. He and trainer Lynch have combined to win 21 percent of their 29 starts together on turf over the past two years, for a return on investment of $2.65.
:: Learn more about Formulator | Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
Bangkok (Last 3 Beyers: 84-67-68)
◗ FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Gracey is 3 for 21 in turf routes over the past five years but has a positive ROI of $2.16 with this angle.
Ami’s Holiday (Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-86)
◗ Ami’s Holiday is the only stakes winner in the 12-horse field and will be the only horse to compete in all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown this season.
◗ FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Josie Carroll has a 21 percent win rate from 24 starters making their turf debut over the past two years.