Mansetti becomes King's Plate contender with Marine victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Mansetti stamped himself as a contender for the $1 million King’s Plate winning the Grade 3 Marine under leading rider Pietro Moran at Woodbine, the first of five stakes on the Saturday holiday card.

Mansetti ($12.80) was making his first start around two turns in the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds. He tracked the pacesetting filly War Signal through honest fractions before hitting the front inside the quarter pole en route to a one-length score over Scorching, in a time of 1:45 seconds.

Favored Megalodon wound up third after a three-wide trip. He was followed by Sedbury’s Ghost, Church and State, War Signal, and Watsonville Red.

“It was a different test for him today,” Moran said. “To be honest, I was a bit worried. I didn’t know if he would get the distance. He’s always trained like a great horse. I’m so proud of him. Down the lane, it was just a matter of getting him there. He’s just all heart.”

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Winning trainer Kevin Attard said Mansetti would likely train up to the Aug. 16 Plate rather than run again before the prestigious race, which he won last year with Caitlinhergrtness. In his previous start in the seven-furlong Queenston Stakes, the son of Collected nearly lost his rider when bumped at the break before finishing a non-threatening fifth.

“Off of this win, he’s earned his way into the race,” Attard said. “It’s nice to see him take that next step. He’s always shown a lot of talent, and he’s matured mentally this year. It’s just been one good race and one bad race. Unfortunately, last time he lost all chance at the break. You just draw a line through it. Today, the race unfolded really well. Pietro sat a great trip and gave him a good ride, and we were lucky to hang on.”

Mansetti earned $108,000 of the $175,200 purse for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling.

Serendipity takes Selene

Trainer Josie Carroll won the Grade 3 Selene for 3-year-old fillies for the second year in a row with second choice Serendipity, a daughter of Street Sense who was making her local debut.

There was ample speed on paper in the 1 1/16-mile event, but Serendipity secured a clear lead and set slow fractions under Rafael Hernandez.

Serendipity was never seriously threatened and got home on top by 2 1/2 lengths over a closing Tiz Her Money, in a time of 1:45.22 seconds. Favored Somethinabouther checked in third in the eight-horse field.

Serendipity ($7.90) banked $90,000 of the $152,100 purse for owners LNJ Foxwoods and NK Racing. Carrol won last year's Selene with Sabatini.

“I think she’s an exceptionally nice filly,” Carroll said of Serendipity.

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