Sand Cove likely clinches Sovereign in Sir Barton

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Sand Cove probably clinched the Sovereign Award for this year’s Canadian champion older male on the main track with a dominating win in the $127,800 Sir Barton Stakes on Wednesday night at Woodbine Racetrack.

Sand Cove ($4.10) dueled with 52-1 shot Quinzee through slow fractions of 25.69, 50.02, and 1:13.51 in the 1 1/16-mile route for Ontario-sired runners.

Sand Cove began to draw away at the head of the stretch, and he prevailed by 6 3/4 lengths over 33-1 outsider Mamma’s Knight. Guipago rallied wide from 10th to finish another neck back in third in the 12-horse field. The final time was 1:44.06.

Sand Cove, who was a beaten favorite in each of the two previous runnings of the Sir Barton, collected $75,000 for owner Ralph Johnson and trainer Roger Attfield.