Ciunas surges late to take Overskate Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The late bloomer Ciunas made his first start for trainer Miguel Clement a winning one in Sunday’s $150,000 Overskate Stakes at Woodbine, under a patient ride from Pietro Moran.

The 7 1/2-furlong inner turf event featured a suicidal pace duel between the favored champion Paramount Prince and longshot Hunt Master.

Ciunas raced inside at the rear of the field before making up ground quickly on the far turn. He split rivals while rallying through the stretch and went on to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths over Souped Up. Ready to Collect finished third ahead of a wide Rapid Test, while Paramount Prince faded to fifth in the eight-horse field of Ontario-sired runners.

Ciunas’ final time of 1:28.40 wasn’t far off course record of 1:27.68 set by Spa Prospector on Aug. 1.

“It worked out to be a great trip,” Moran said. “Obviously, there was a lot of pace on paper. It turned out that way. I just got a good trip in the first turn and I followed Souped Up. He led me to the top of the stretch. I had the horse to do it and pushed through. I know he’s a nice horse.”

Ciunas ($6.10) earned $90,000 in his first start following a sale to the partnership of Steven Bochey, Madaket Stables, Briles Family Stable, and Jeff Zionis. It was the third win in a row and the first stakes success for the gelded son of Silent Name.

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