Return to Polytrack suits Southdale in Durham Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Favored Southdale rallied along the rail under Jim McAleney to capture the 100th running of the $173,500 Durham Cup Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine.

Southdale ($6.10) raced near the back of a tightly bunched six-horse field early in the nine-furlong route as Barreling Home set slow fractions while being pressed by Eye of the Leopard.

Stunning Stag loomed wide into contention on the far turn as Southdale commenced his bid. Southdale hit the front near the eighth pole, before drawing off for a 3 1/4-length score, in a time of 1:51.36.

Barreling Home edged out Stunning Stag by a head for second. Pool Play, Palladio, and Eye of the Leopard completed the order of finish in the Grade 3 race.

Southdale, who was coming off a subpar showing on the grass in the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes, earned $108,000 for owner Rod Ferguson and trainer Ian Black.

“He didn’t get a chance to really run his race last time on the turf,” McAleney said. “Ian and I spoke about it afterwards, and he worked so brilliantly on the Poly coming into this race that it seemed like this was the [right] place.”

Carotene: Jenny’s So Great wins first stakes

Jenny’s So Great overcame traffic troubles to land her first stakes in Sunday’s supporting feature, the $150,800 Carotene, a nine-furlong turf event for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Jenny’s So Great lacked room early in the stretch, before rallying along the rail en route to a 1 1/2-length tally, in a time of 1:51.58 over a course labeled good.

Jose Ferrer rode 2-1 favorite Jenny’s So Great for trainer Greg De Gannes, who won a $40,000 claimer with her in July.

“She’s gotten so much confidence since we put her on the grass,” De Gannes said. “The day that we ran her for $40,000, we probably could be accused of stealing a little bit. Fortunately, things worked out.”