Noholdingback Bear crushes competition in Woodstock

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — A dead-fit Noholdingback Bear parlayed a stalking trip into a decisive score under Eurico Da Silva in the $125,250 Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

Shogood, a supplement from Illinois, led the way through lively fractions, while being pressed by Argot. Noholdingback Bear chased three-wide on the turn, and then hit the front nearing the eighth pole before drawing clear to prevail by 4 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:10.22 for the six furlongs.

Shogood held second by a nose over a closing Hollywood Hideaway, as Argot faded to fourth in the six-horse field of 3-year-olds.

Noholdingback Bear ($3.30) was competitive in stakes company at Gulfstream during the winter.

“We thought he’d run real good today,” said trainer Mike DePaulo. “I think he really likes the synthetic and the grass.”

Noholdingback Bear earned $75,000 in his first stakes victory for Bear Stable.