Brachetto ($38.60) springs big upset in Marine
?q=100)
ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The improving Manitoba-bred Brachetto posted a huge upset in the Saturday’s Grade 3 Marine at Woodbine while stamping himself as a prime contender for the Aug. 15 King’s Plate, Canada’s most prestigious race.
With Ryan Munger aboard, Brachetto saved ground about five lengths off a fast pace in the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds. Favored Casson and Fire and Wine vied for the lead while second choice Magical Factor enjoyed a lovely stalking trip under Kazushi Kimura.
Magical Factor assumed command from Casson early in the stretch and seemed headed for victory, but Casson came flying late after being angled outside to prevail by a half-length, in a time of 1:44.94.
Casson faded to third and was followed by Yukon Striker, Yoshii, and Fire and Wine.
Off a closing third in the seven-furlong Queenston Stakes, Brachetto was making his first start over a route of ground for trainer Julia Carey.
“It was a very satisfying win, to say the least,” Munger said. “I really thought he would enjoy the two turns. I’m just very glad he showed that at the races. It was definitely his toughest test, but he passed it with flying colors. I’m so glad that the owners were here today.”
A son of North America’s leading third-crop sire Vekoma, Brachetto ($38.60) earned $90,000 of the $162,000 purse for owner/breeders Ross and Brenda McKague.
“My wife and I raised all of our horses at our farm up until recently,” Ross McKague said. “We foaled him out and raised him there right until he was almost a 2-year-old. He’s 100 percent Manitoba-bred.”
Luster takes Selene
Favored Luster ($4.90) gave trainer Josie Carroll her third straight win in the Grade 3 Selene on Saturday.
Luster hugged the rail in fourth on the backstretch before taking control in the stretch en route to a 1 3/4-length tally, in a time of 1:44.04 for the 1 1/16 miles.
Katie’s Grace rallied furiously to nose out Dixie Law for second. Tulip faded to fourth after setting a quick pace and was followed by Bold Time, Classic Move, and Lake Louise.
Fraser Aebly rode Luster, a daughter of Knicks Go, who banked $108,000 in her first stakes score for owners Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen.
“I truly think she really wants to go two turns,” Aebly said. “You watch her on the grass and she was very impressive at Keeneland—even when she broke her maiden here. I just think she really enjoys two turns. I was sitting pretty handy the whole way. She’s a pretty nice filly.”
Luster’s victory figures to make her the favorite for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks on July 19.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.