Gas Me Up rallies to take King Edward, capping big day for trainer Attard
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Fresh off taking the $1 million King’s Plate, trainer Kevin Attard also won the final two stakes on Saturday’s Woodbine card, the Grade 2, $239,700 King Edward with Gas Me Up and the $156,500 Soaring Free with Two Out Hero.
With Flavien Prat aboard, Gas Me Up rallied on the far outside from seventh in the one-mile King Edward to prevail by three-quarters of a length over Wyoming Bill in a time of 1:33.85 over the firm turf. Twin City edged out the favored Cruden Bay for third in the nine-horse field.
Gas Me notched his first stakes in the King Edward, which is a prep for next month’s Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile.
“This is a nice horse,” Attard said. “He was plagued by some issues early in his career, and now he’s been able to get into a bit of a rhythm. He’s showing his talent.”
Gas Me Up ($7.40) earned $144,000 for owners Exline-Border Racing, Michael Jawl, Aaron Kennedy, and Tom Zwiesler.
Favored Two Out Hero remained unbeaten with a professional score in the Soaring Free, which is a prep for next month’s Grade 1 Summer, a stakes that’s on the son of War Front’s dance card, according to Attard.
“I think he’s a very special horse,” Attard said.
After winning his debut on the Tapeta in front-running style, Two Out Hero assumed a stalking position along the inside under Rafael Hernandez in the 6 1/2-furlong Soaring Free. He collared the leading Casson at the eighth pole before winning by 1 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:15.91.
Argos finished another neck back in third and Rude Procedure faded to fourth after vying for the lead with Casson.
Two Out Hero ($4.40) banked $90,000 for owner Gold Square.
Earlier on the card, Simcoe led all the way to annex his first stakes in the Grade 3 Bold Venture by 5 3/4 lengths under Hernandez, in a time of 1:15.42 for the six furlongs. Victory Achieved rallied for second and I’m A Gambler edged out the favored Playmea Tune for third in the seven-horse.
“He’s been a super-consistent horse,” winning trainer Katerina Vassilieva said. “I just think he gets really confident when he’s on the lead. Raffie made sure he got the lead today, and it seems when he gets it, he just doesn’t look back.
Simcoe ($13.10) earned $108,000 of the $169,800 purse for owner-breeder Chiefswood Stables Limited.
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