Patches O’Houlihan sets track record with Thorncliffe victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Patches O’Houlihan made his season debut a memorable one on Sunday at Woodbine, taking the $113,200 Thorncliffe Stakes with ease in track-record time under Sofia Vives.

Patches O’Houlihan ($3) went straight to the front in the 5 1/2-furlong dash and then shrugged off two stalkers on the turn. Three-time Canadian champion Filo Di Arianna rallied along the rail and took dead aim at Patches O’Houlihan at the head of the stretch, but “Patches” dug in to win by four lengths in a time of 1:02.28 seconds, which lowered Arzak’s previous record by .34.

After missing the break, I’m A Gambler rallied to finish a distant third. He was followed by Ironstone, Flag of Honour, and Runnin’ Rocket.

“We got a little unlucky with inside posts the last few times (I) rode him,” Vives recalled. “But he’s shown that he’s pretty quick and he was quicker than the bunch today and got there first. The whole crew got the horse ready. He’s always 110 percent and he knows that it’s gametime when he hears the gate. He’s a pretty exciting horse.”

Winning trainer Robert Tiller, who also conditioned five-time Canadian champion male sprinter Pink Lloyd, said Patches O’Houlihan wintered in Ontario at trainer Paul Buttigieg’s farm.

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“He came into (the track) the first of March,” Tiller said. “I’m not a big bettor, but I made a big bet. I was never so confident in a horse in my life. He’d trained better than he ever trained. He’s spectacular. I think he’s a better horse this year.”

A 5-year-old gelding by Ontario sire Reload, Patches O’Houlihan earned $72,000 for owner-breeder Frank DiGiulio Jr., who co-owned the popular Pink Lloyd.

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