Queenston: Bear's Chill controls the pace

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Bear’s Chill played a successful game of catch-me-if-you can Saturday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Queenston Stakes, an important prep for the June 26 Queen’s Plate.

Say No More led early in the seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, but was soon joined up front by Bear’s Chill, who set a slow opening quarter of 23.51 seconds under Emile Ramsammy.

Bear’s Chill opened up a clear lead midway on the backstretch, got the half in 45.67, and went on to score by 2 1/2 lengths over Say No More. Oh Canada finished another 3 3/4 lengths back in third. He was followed by Black N Beauty and Sardonicus. The final time was 1:21.91.

It was the second winner on the card for Reade Baker, who trains the massive Bear’s Chill for Bear Stable.

“He’s a big, strong, tough horse,” said Baker. “You worry that a horse that big is going to stay sound, but so far, so good.”

Bear’s Chill returned $3.90 in his stakes debut, and banked $90,000.