Gigantic Breeze threatens track record in Autumn Stakes win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Gigantic Breeze ($9.80) ran strongly through the stretch to hold off the favored Melmich while threatening the track record in Sunday’s Grade 2, $196,000 Autumn Stakes at Woodbine.

Gigantic Breeze bid three wide from a stalking position on the far turn in the 1 1/16-mile event and then hit the front early in the stretch en route to one-length score. The winning time of 1:42.38 was just 0.22 seconds off Woodbine’s synthetic-track record.

Melmich rallied wide from last to finish second, a length in front of pacesetter Western Reserve. Tale of the Nile and Dragon Bay completed the order of finish.

A son of Giant’s Causeway, Gigantic Breeze gave jockey Gary Boulanger his fourth winner on the card. Boulanger wasn’t aboard when the gelding won his previous start in the $200,000 Presque Isle Downs Mile.

“He showed a tremendous turn of foot at Presque Isle,” said Boulanger. “He’s always showed me a lot of talent. He’s gotten better with every race. He’s been a tremendous trip to ride.”

Trainer Sandy McPherson said he wasn’t keen on running Gigantic Breeze back on Dec. 10 in the closing-day feature going 1 3/4 miles, the Grade 3 Valedictory. Gigantic Breeze ran for as little as $20,000 claiming last year, which makes him eligible for several of Gulfstream’s Claiming Crown races on Dec. 2.

Gigantic Breeze earned $126,000 for Stan Dodson’s Hopefield Farm.