Ironstone romps in Simcoe after addition of Lasix
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ironstone gave Willy Armata his biggest win Sunday at Woodbine in the $201,200 Simcoe Stakes. The personable trainer has some big plans for the son of Mr Speaker.
After ending up second in his June 20 debut, Ironstone flattened out to finish fifth in a longer 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight sprint on July 18.
With the addition of Lasix, Ironstone rebounded Sunday with a front-running 8 1/2-length score under Ademar Santos in the 6 1/2-furlong Simcoe, for graduates of Canadian yearling sales. The $7,000 yearling purchase earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure, the co-highest Beyer for a 2-year-old in Canada this year.
“From Day 1 when I got him, I knew that he was a good horse,” Armata said. “He was beating company without urging. He was doing it on his own. The first race, when Santos gave him a couple shots with the whip, he was a little green because he wasn’t used to that. The second race, it was hot and he had heat stroke and bled a little bit. Once he started working again, I gave him a little Lasix, and he impressed more and more.”
Armata is looking at the $400,000 Summer Stakes on Sept. 19 and the $250,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes on Oct. 10 as possible races for Ironstone. The colt would have to run without Lasix in the Grade 1 Summer because it’s a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In qualifier.
“I’m aiming to run him at least two more times before the year is over,” Armata said. “Those two races could be leading up to the Queen’s Plate next year.”
Armata said the Simcoe score was special because his fiancée, Lauren Hawkins of Buffalo, N.Y., was able to attend. Due to coronavirus pandemic-related border restrictions, Armata said he was unable to be with Hawkins for a long period of time until recently, when double-vaccinated Americans were allowed to cross the border into Canada.
“She wasn’t going to come and then I told her, ‘Babe, we have something special here, and I want you to be a part of it,’ ” Armata said. “She came and it worked out.”
Armata sent out Owen’s Tour Guide to finish fourth in Sunday’s $100,000 Algoma Stakes, during which she opened up a five-length lead on the turn before tiring in the seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies.
“If she ever learns to relax, she can be better than what she is,” Armata predicted. “She’s not an easy horse to ride. She’s very aggressive.”
◗ Armata’s father, Vito, sends out graded stakes winner Ikerrin Road in Friday’s featured conditioned allowance sprint. Ikerrin Road is winless in eight starts since the Grade 2 Kennedy Road in 2018. The 8-year-old is coming off a solid second against $40,000 claimers in his second start off the bench.