Dragon's Brew rallies to victory in Simcoe Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Dragon’s Brew enjoyed clear sailing on the outside under Daisuke Fukumoto before capturing the $250,800 Simcoe, the first of four stakes for graduates of Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society yearling sales on the Sunday Woodbine card.
Dragon’s Brew ($8.10) came from midpack in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for male 2-year-olds to prevail by 2 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:17.90. All Canadian, one of several runners who had bad trips in the 10-horse field, finished second at 18-1, as Took a Wrong Turn edged out Derzkii for third.
Dragon’s Brew is unbeaten in two starts under the guidance of trainer Robert Tiller. The son of Milwaukee Brew earned $150,000 for Goldmart Farms.
“I ride him every week in the morning,” Fukumoto said. “I know how to ride him. I saw a couple of nice speed horses in front, so I just followed them. I knew he was going to finish strong. He won easy.”
El Bayern takes Muskoka in debut
First-time starter El Bayern overcame an awkward break from the outside post to take the $250,800 Muskoka for 2-year-old fillies.
El Bayern ($48) raced toward the inside early before closing wide from last to mow down the favored For My Elbi late in a one-length win under Sheena Ryan. Ms Wicked finished another head back in third in the 10-horse field.
“Everybody was going and I saved some ground,” Ryan said. “She got a good experience, got some [Tapeta] in her face. She didn’t even care. She just drove into it. She came around and finished like she did in her works. I was really impressed.”
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Trained by Mike Mattine, El Bayern earned $150,000 for owner Stacey Van Camp, who paid $8,000 for the daughter of Bayern.
“I just thought she was cute,” said Van Camp, regarding why she purchased her from the sale.
* Trainer Randy Thompson notched his first stakes in the $138,225 Algoma with the favored front-runner Marjorie’s Dream ($5.60). With Patrick Husbands aboard, Marjorie’s Dream controlled the pace throughout the seven-furlong event for 3-year-old fillies. She got tired late, but held on to win by a nose over second choice Silent Causeway, in a time of 1:23.26.
* Told It All ($20.60) won the $142,660 Elgin for male 3-year-olds by 2 1/2 lengths over the 73-1 supplement Benlion. He completed the seven furlongs in 1:23.25 under Luis Contreras, in his first start off a $25,000 claim by trainer Norm McKnight.