Ride a Comet rallies powerfully to win Charlie Barley Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ride a Comet ($6.50) took his time at the back of the pack before closing strongly to win the $105,200 Charlie Barley Stakes under jockey Patrick Husbands at Woodbine on Saturday.

El Tormenta went straight to the lead and set quick fractions of 22.61 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.82 seconds for the half-mile in the one-mile event for 3-year-olds on turf as Ride a Comet sat sixth early in the seven-horse field.

Turning for home, El Tormenta was still in front, but Ride a Comet rallied best of all to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:32.24. El Tormenta held for the place position, while Elusive Mischief was third.

Trainer Mark Casse had four runners in the race, including Ride a Comet and Elusive Mischief. Casse also sent out Machtree, who finished fifth, and Blueblood, who was seventh.

“I thought [El Tormenta] looked really good. I thought he still had a lot of horse at the top of the turn there, but [Ride a Comet] closed so well,” said Kathryn Sullivan, assistant trainer to Casse. “Patrick was confident in him every step of the way.”

Ride a Comet banked $60,000 for the victory while recording his first stakes win. He’s won four of his last five starts and is unbeaten in three starts on turf.