Niigon’s Eclipse holds off Bletchley in Nassau Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Longshot Niigon’s Eclipse set a tepid early pace and never looked back to take the Grade 2, $196,350 Nassau Stakes over a charging Bletchley at Woodbine on Sunday.

Over an extra-firm course, Niigon’s Eclipse recorded fractions of 23.78 and 46.99 in the one-mile event. The favored Starship Jubilee split horses entering the stretch to challenge for the lead, but then tired as Bletchley mounted a wide rally, only to fall a half-length short.

Gianna’s Dream finished another 3 3/4 lengths back in third, a nose in front of Starship Jubilee. Grizzel and Ghostly Presence completed the order of finish. The final time was 1:32.74.

Gary Boulanger rode Niigon’s Eclipse, a daughter of the late Queen’s Plate winner Niigon, for trainer Rachel Halden.

“I rode her a couple years ago,” Boulanger said. “You can’t fight her too much. You have to get along with her. The better you do, the harder she’ll kick. She broke good, and geared underneath me. I waited for as long as I had to. When I got to the head of the lane and they hadn’t got to me, I knew I had to re-kick. I did, and when (Starship Jubilee) came to my hip, she just exploded. She ran down the lane as hard as anything.”

Niigon’s Eclipse ($26.70) earned $126,000 for owner-breeder Chiefswood Stable.