Ironstone coasts to victory in Clarendon Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ironstone justified his favoritism with another dominating score in Friday’s $150,000 Clarendon Stakes for Ontario-bred 2-year-olds at Woodbine.
Ironstone ($2.50) went straight to the front and opened up a clear lead on the turn before coasting home on top by six lengths, in a time of 1:03.53 under Ademar Santos. Silent Runner finished another 5 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Silent Resent.
Ironstone graduated in his previous race by 8 1/2 lengths in the restricted Simcoe Stakes. He worked five-eighths in a sizzling 57.60 seconds last Saturday, indicating another big performance was forthcoming.
“He’s a good horse,” said trainer Willy Armata. “Every time he runs and when he works, he gallops out phenomenal. There’s nothing more you can ask for this guy. He’s given us everything we’ve asked for. Unfortunately, he worked last week in 57. We didn’t want him to go in 57, trust me. The cops were waiting for us at the tunnel to give us a speeding ticket.”
A son of Mr Speaker, Ironstone earned $90,000 for the partnership of Tequesta Racing and Jupiter Leasing Co.
Marie MacKay gets maiden win in Shady Well Stakes
Marie MacKay won her maiden by 2 1/4 lengths in Friday’s $150,000 Shady Well Stakes, after taking no prisoners on the front end under Justin Stein.
Marie MacKay ($11.20) covered the distance in 1:04.03 in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint for Ontario-bred 2-year-old fillies. Aubrieta, the heavy favorite, bobbled while breaking from the rail and then closed from third to finish a clear second over Ya Mar.
Marie MacKay was coming off a speedy second to Aubrieta in her Sept. 11 debut in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special and was adding Lasix for this race.
“I was given a heads-up that she’s really, really quick and she’s definitely up there with the quickest,” Stein said. “She gets her feet under her right away, and she’s running. You just kind of stay out of her way a little bit and hang on. In the first start, she got a little bit tired, but I figured today, she’d be a lot tighter.”
A daughter of Noble Mission trained by Danny Vella, Marie MacKay collected $90,000 for owner-breeders Track West Racing and Donald Whalen.