Implicated surprises Fev Rover in Nassau Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Kentucky shipper Implicated got a dream run through the stretch to upset reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Fev Rover in the Grade 2 Nassau, the last of five graded stakes on Saturday’s Woodbine card.

Implicated raced in fifth on the backstretch in the one-mile turf event before splitting rivals in the stretch en route to a 1 3/4-length win, in a time of 1:35.50 over a course labeled good.

Millie Girl made up good ground from ninth to finish just a head behind Fev Rover in third. She was followed by Full Count Felicia, Forever Dixie, Safeen, Fast as Flight, Devil’s Bit, Dana’s Beauty and Cairo Consort.

Declan Cannon rode Implicated for Brendan Walsh, who trains her for the partnership of Bradley Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Cambron Equine and Laura Leigh Stable.

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“Everything panned out great today,” Cannon said. “Brendan and his team did a fabulous job. They had this race picked out for a while and it all worked out. With this being such a long stretch, I just wanted to ride her with confidence, like she was the best horse in the race. When I really asked her at the eighth pole, it took her just a little while to get organized, and she came home strong.”

Implicated returned $13.30 to win and earned $105,000 of the $179,850 purse.

*** Essex Serpent ($13.70) established himself as a protagonist for the prestigious King’s Plate by beating open company in the Grade 3 Marine going 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds.

After assuming an early stalking position under Patrick Husbands, Essex Serpent took the lead on the backstretch in the fast-paced event before holding off a wide-closing Cameo Performance in a one-length score, in a time of 1:43.03.

Trainer Mark Casse sent out Essex Serpent and another Plate hopeful, Midnight Mascot, who rallied outside from a trailing seventh to finish third, a length behind the runner-up. Native Land, Piper’s Factor, Babbo and Maximus Magic completed the order of finish.

“I knew I was on the best horse and I rode him like he was the best horse,” Husbands said.

A homebred owned by Manfred and Penny Conrad, Essex Serpent collected $108,000 of the $172,200 purse in his first stakes victory.

The $1 million King’s Plate goes Aug. 17 and Essex Serpent could meet the early Plate favorite My Boy Prince in the July 20 Plate Trial Stakes.

*** Last year’s King’s Plate winner, Paramount Prince, led all the way under Husbands when winning the Grade 3, $177,800 Dominion Day over Stanley House.

Over a Tapeta surface that was kind to speed, Paramount Prince ($6.50) set soft fractions before pulling away in the stretch to prevail by 3 3/4 lengths, in a time of 1:49.35 for the 1 1/8 miles.

Wicked Django rallied wide for third at 24-1. He was followed by Palazzi, Skyro, favored Tyson, Quadra Island, Collective Force and Jim’s Hope.

“He's all speed, you know,” Husbands said. “And he has a very high cruising speed. As long as you don't play with him, he will give you everything.”

Trained by Casse, Paramount Prince, the 2023 Canadian champion male 3-year-old, won $108,000 for owners Gary Barber and Michael Langlois.

*** Filo Di Arianna was no match for North America’s top turf sprinter Cogburn in his last two graded stakes starts in the United States, and the two-time Canadian champion made a triumphant return to Woodbine in the Grade 2, $200,800 Highlander.

Filo Di Arianna ($6.30) tracked his front-running stablemate Step Forward in the six-furlong turf sprint before wearing him down in the stretch en route to a 2 1/4-length tally, in a time of 1:09.75.

Witty rallied wide from mid-pack to edge out Step Forward for second. Favored Oceanic checked in fourth in the eight-horse field.

Kazushi Kimura rode the Brazilian-bred winner for Casse and the partnership of Barber, Wachtel Stable and Peter Deutsch.

“He’s been fighting with some real nice horses,” Kimura said. “Today, I was confident. From the gate, I was really comfortable.”

*** Apprentice Sofia Vives won her second stakes on Sabatini in the Grade 3, $150,900 Selene for 3-year-old fillies.

Sabatini ($11.40) came wide from fourth to win the 1 1/16-mile route by two lengths, in a time of 1:43.07. The Casse-trained Crevalle d’Oro beat out her heavily favored stablemate Witwatersrand for second in the seven-horse field.

Vives was aboard when Sabatini broke her maiden in the six-furlong Star Shoot Stakes April 27, after which she ran second to Witwatersrand in the seven-furlong Ruling Angel Stakes. The Selene was her first race around two turns, in which she banked $90,000 for NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods.

Winning trainer Josie Caroll said she was unsure whether the daughter of Uncle Mo would successfully stretch out.

“I really didn’t know,” Carroll admitted. “Her pedigree said she would. I thought the only way you’re going to find out is to come on over and we’ll find out.”

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