Dresden Row makes it two in a row with Ontario Derby

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Dresden Row notched his second consecutive Grade 3 stakes triumph with Saturday’s $138,240 Ontario Derby at Woodbine, while leaving the hyped Swift Delivery back in fifth.

With Ryan Munger aboard, Dresden Row tracked pacesetter Babbo through quick splits in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds.

Dresden Row made his way to the lead at the quarter pole and then held off a late bid from Bail Us Out to win by a half-length, in a time of 1:49.12.

Roscar finished third in his first race since winning the Breeders’ Stakes, the anchor leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. He was followed by Two Ghosts, Swift Delivery, Babbo and Miss Roberts. Swift Delivery was making his second start after football star Travis Kelce bought a 10 percent stake in him from Team Valor International.

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Munger was also aboard when Dresden Row beat older rivals in the Sept. 28 Durham Cup after acting up in the saddling enclosure.

“My opinion was he was the best horse in this race,” Munger said. “I put him in a nice spot. He relaxed up there sitting in second. When I asked him to quicken, the rest was history. He’s starting to know that he can just calm his nerves. He just gets a bit excited (pre-race).”

Dresden Row ($4.40) has suddenly emerged as a prime contender for Canadian champion male 3-year-old honors. The son of the late Grade 1-winning sprinter Lord Nelson earned $81,000 for the partnership of True North Stable and Bloom Racing Stable.

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