European invader Caspar Netscher wins Nearctic

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Caspar Netscher ($11.60), the lone European-based horse in the field, split horses in deep stretch Sunday to capture the Grade 2, $315,200 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine.

Caspar Netscher got away slowly under jockey Andrew Mullen and settled off the pace as Black Hornet set splits of 22.12 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.52 for the opening half-mile.

Black Hornet put away Dreamsgonewild in the stretch and appeared to be home free until Caspar Netscher came with a strong run between horses to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:08.97. Calgary Cat, the 3-1 favorite, was third.

“They were going hard in front, so I just slotted him in, and I gave myself the option to go in or out,” Mullen said. “When I switched him in, I got a nice run, and he’s picked up well all the way to the line.”

Trainer David Simcock continued his winning ways at Woodbine this season. The British-based trainer is now 3 for 3 here in graded stakes this season, as he also won the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes with Sheikhzayedroad and the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile with Trade Storm in September.

Caspar Netscher, who ran eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2011, banked the $180,000 winner’s share for owner Charles Wentworth, who bought the horse back in 2013 after a brief stud career.

“That was reminiscent of how he was at his best as a 2-year old,” Wentworth said. “It’s great to have him back.”