Mr Havercamp finds a seam to win Play the King

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Mr Havercamp ($3.80) made his way between rivals in the stretch en route to a decisive score in Saturday’s Grade 2 Play the King Stakes, a key prep for the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile.

Over a course that took considerable rain earlier in the afternoon, Mr Havercamp raced in fifth through the turn in the about-seven-furlong event. A filly from New York, 2-1 second choice La Sardane, set moderate fractions over the yielding ground before tiring in the final furlong.

Mr Havercamp sought room around the quarter pole under Eurico Da Silva and then found a path in midstretch before drawing clear for a 2 1/2-length tally in 1:23.49.

The 54-1 outsider Vanish nosed out Sweet Little Man for second. Holding Gold, La Sardane, and Boreal Spirit completed the order of finish. Sweet Grass Creek, White Flag, and Yorkton were scratched.

Da Silva said there were a few tense moments while he sought room.

“It was pretty tight, but I had so much horse,” said Da Silva. “He’s a very nice horse. When you need him, he’s there for you. He’s a wonderful horse to ride.”

By Woodbine Mile winner Court Vision, Mr Havercamp earned $126,000 of the $196,350 purse for owners Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry.

Trainer Catherine Day Phillips said the Sept. 15 Woodbine Mile will be next for Mr Havercamp, who is unbeaten in four starts on the Woodbine turf course.

“He likes it here, and he gets along with Eurico,” Day Phillips said. “They’re a great team.”

My Gal Betty takes Catch a Glimpse

My Gal Betty ($7) loved the giving ground in Saturday’s supporting feature, the $102,400 Catch a Glimpse Stakes, winning the six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies easily under Rafael Hernandez.

My Gal Betty rallied wide from about three lengths off the pace to prevail by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:11.62 for the distance of about six furlongs.

Charmaine’s Mia, a 39-1 supplement, edged out Bold Script for second, as the favored pacesetter, Eyeinthesky, faded to fourth in the seven-horse field.

“We got a good [outside] post position,” Hernandez said. “We just played it by ear—see who was going to go, the speed. We just sat off behind and made one run.”

My Gal Betty, who lost the July 7 Shady Well Stakes by disqualification, earned $60,000 for owner William Werner. Roger Attfield trains the Kentucky-bred daughter of Point of Entry.