March to the Arch rallies in final furlong to take Niagara Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Horse-for-course March to the Arch rallied powerfully under Patrick Husbands to win Sunday’s $160,600 Niagara Stakes at Woodbine.

Admiralty Pier and longshot Primo Touch linked up on the lead through a fast pace in the overnight event, which was contested at about 1 1/8 miles over a course labeled good.

March to the Arch saved ground while far off the leaders through the turn. He commenced his rally early in the stretch before drawing off in the final furlong to win by 4 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:45.15.

Belichick ran greenly and was boxed in late before getting up for second. He was followed by Theregoesjojo, Primo Touch, Current, Sir Sahib, Admiralty Pier, Woodbridge, and Mnemba Island.

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It was the third stakes score of the meet for Husbands, who also rode the Arch gelding when he finished second in last year’s Grade 1 Woodbine Mile. March to the Arch was coming off a second to favored Mighty Heart in the Grade 3 Dominion Day in his season opener on the Tapeta.

“He’s the barn pet,” Husbands said. “He’s just a racehorse that everybody loves. His last race, I read in the form there was no pace, and he’s a closer. I had to press (Mighty Heart) the whole way, and he still hung in there. He’s got a serious turn of foot. He showed that he was the best.”

Trained by Mark Casse, March to the Arch returned $4.40 as the favorite, and earned $60,000 for Live Oak Plantation.