Red Rifle avoids disqualification to win Dominion Day

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Red Rifle, the favored shipper from Belmont Park, fired big in Wednesday’s Grade 3, $153,600 Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths over Florida Won in the 10-furlong event.

Normally a front-runner, Red Rifle had just one of his six rivals beaten on the backstretch, while Patrioticandproud set quick fractions. He mounted a four-wide rally on the far turn under Alan Garcia, and then hit the front in mi-stretch before completing the distance in 2:01.93.

Pender Harbour finished third after being steadied nearing the eighth pole. The stewards launched an inquiry regarding Red Rifle crossing in front of him, but there was no change in the order of finish.

Red Rifle ($6.40) earned $90,000 for Twin Creeks Racing Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher.

“He was unbelievable today, this horse,” said Garcia. “Pletcher said this morning to me if he’s rating, and he’s happy about it, don’t worry about what position [you’re in].”

Endless Light takes Sweet Briar Too

Endless Light notched her first stakes in Wednesday’s supporting feature, the $105,800 Sweet Briar Too Stakes, scoring by three-quarters of a length over the favored Hillaby, in 1:21.96 for the seven furlongs.

Emma-Jayne Wilson rode the Mark Frostad-trained Endless Light, an English import who had competed exclusively on grass prior to this outing.

“When I worked her for the first time on the Poly after her last race on the turf, I told Mark she’s way better on the Poly,” said Wilson. “I was very impressed. That’s why we decided to run her on the Poly.”