Palladio wins Ontario Derby

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Palladio won his second derby of the year Sunday at Woodbine, taking the $165,750 Ontario Derby with a powerful wide rally under jockey Richard Dos Ramos.

Palladio trailed the eight-horse field on the backstretch of the nine-furlong route, as Crafty Stag set an honest pace, with Gold and Roses and Stay Close in close proximity.

Palladio circled five-wide on the far turn, and hooked up with Gold and Roses at the head of the stretch, before edging away late for a half-length win. Ever So Free finished another six lengths back in third in the eight-horse field of 3-year-olds. The final time was 1:50.67 seconds.

Dos Ramos said he was farther back than he had planned on being in the early stages. "He came off the bridle," Dos Ramos said, "but he?s a horse you let settle, and when he decides that he wants to pick it up, he?ll pick it up."

Palladio, who captured the Grade 2 Ohio Derby in July, returned $5.90 as the favorite. He banked $98,730 for Haras Santa Maria de Araras and trainer Roger Attfield.