Marlang coasts to Breeders' Stakes win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Marlang ($20.20) set sail on an easy lead and was never headed en route to a comfortable score in the 118th running of the $502,000 Breeders Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown at Woodbine on Sunday.

Marlang established slow fractions of 25.39 seconds, 50.41, and 1:16.24 in the 1 1/2-mile grass marathon. New York shipper Solitaire, the 4-5 favorite in the 10-horse field of Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, raced in a stalking position along with Cryptonite Kid and Palmers.

Sligovitz loomed into contention on the outside exiting the far turn, and then bolted to the outside at the eighth pole after moving into second. Marlang maintained a clear lead throughout the stretch, and won by 2 3/4 lengths over Sligovitz, who came back on to end up a half-length ahead of third-place finisher Solitaire.

Marlang notched his first stakes in the one-mile Charlie Barley in June, and jockey Richard Dos Ramos was hoping the son of Langfuhr would rate well enough to stay the taxing distance of the Breeders.

He settled really nicely, said Dos Ramos. He came off the bridle and settled into a galloping mode. When I turned into the lane, he accelerated underneath me, and I felt that it would take a pretty good horse to beat him from there.

Chantal Sutherland picked up the mount on Sligovitz for trainer Brian Lynch after Todd Kabel decided to retire for the year due to a weight problem.

My horse was running extremely well, said Sutherland. I hit him one, two, three, and the fourth time I hit him, he went outside. I tried to get him back [by] hitting him right-handed, just to straighten him out. Note to self: Easy on the left-hand whip with him. Hes an honest horse.

Marlang, trained by Debbie England for owner Gustav Schickedanz, completed the distance over firm ground in 2:28.58. He earned $300,000, which boosted his bankroll to $404,750.

Nandi: Cawaja Beach now 3 for 3

Cawaja Beach ($3) won her third race is as many starts in Sundays supporting feature, the $125,400 Nandi Stakes, for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.

Cawaja Beach came from just off the pace to prevail by three-quarters of a length over Koonunga Hill. Pacemaker Cataleenda faded to third in the six-horse field.

With Daniel David riding for trainer Scott Fairlie, Cawaja Beach ran the six furlongs in 1:11.01, and earned $75,000 for Hard Eight Stable and Ace Racing Stable.