Kingsport tallies third Sir Barton Stakes victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The sharp favorite Kingsport won the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes for the third time at Woodbine on Sunday, with Luis Contreras named as his substitute rider by trainer Sid Attard.

Kingsport ($5.20) bided his time in second-to-last on the backstretch in the 1 1/16-mile route, as Silent Poet was pressed through moderate fractions by Eskiminzin.

Kingsport mounted a wide rally on the far turn, and then hit the front entering the stretch before drawing clear for a 3 3/4-length tally, in a time of 1:43.72.

Silent Poet faded in the final sixteenth, but held off a troubled Thor’s Rocket for second in the six-horse field of Ontario-sired runners.

Jesse Campbell suffered a suspected concussion in a paddock accident prior to the second race, and was off his remaining mounts. He had inherited the ride on Kingsport from Patrick Husbands, who fractured his pelvis in early November.

“He’s such a beautiful horse,” Contreras said. “Sid told me he was in great shape, just stay outside, and be comfortable. I just wanted to be a great passenger.”

Attard said the victory was bittersweet because Campbell had to forego the mount.

“I felt so bad for [Jesse],” Attard said. “He was dying to ride this horse today. He worked him twice. He said: ‘Sid, this horse is in top shape. I can’t wait for Sunday.’ ”

Kingsport, a 6-year-old son of Milwaukee Brew, earned $60,000 for Goldmart Farms and Royal Laser Racing Inc.