Scorching finishes nose behind Ashley's Archer, but wins Cup and Saucer via disqualification

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Scorching lost Sunday’s $251,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes by a nose to Ashley’s Archer, but was awarded the victory after Ashley’s Archer was disqualified in the 1 1/16-mile turf route for 2-year-olds.

Scorching stalked a quick pace set by Kokomo along the inside through the turn, while Ashley’s Archer bided his time along the rail in fifth under Sofia Vives.

Scorching hit the front early in the stretch and Ashley’s Archer split rivals around the three-sixteenths pole while bumping with Ready for Candy. Ashley’s Archer kicked on and wore down a game Scorching late to prevail in a time of 1:42.69 over the good ground. Favored Dewolf was a wide third in the 10-horse field of Canadian-breds.

After a stewards’ inquiry, Ashley’s Archer was demoted to fifth behind Ready for Candy, who was moved up to fourth.

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Patrick Husbands rode Scorching for trainer John Charalambous and was also aboard when the son of Mo Town earned his diploma in the Aug. 25 Simcoe Stakes for graduates of Canadian yearling sales on the Tapeta.

“He handled (the turf) just as good as the (Tapeta),” Husbands said. “He’s more like an older horse - very smart and very intelligent. When you have a baby this smart, it can take them a long way. He can sprint. He can go long. He’ll be okay down the road. He’s a good horse.”

Scorching paid $7.20 as the second choice and banked $150,000 for owners Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch.

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