Shakhimat storms away to victory in Coronation

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Shakhimat gave trainer Roger Attfield a sweep of Sunday’s two stakes when he captured the $250,800 Coronation Futurity with authority under Emma-Jayne Wilson.

Shakhimat went straight to the front in the nine-furlong test for 2-year-olds, setting lively fractions of 23.66 seconds, 48.18, and 1:12.48. The favored Conquest Twister made a three-wide bid on the far turn before Shakhimat kicked away in the stretch on his left lead to prevail by 9 3/4 lengths in 1:51.10.
Shakhimat ($10.80) earned $150,000 for owner Dan Gale.

“The track was speed favoring the last few days,” said Wilson. “We had the advantage [being] on the inside. A couple horses in the race had shown speed. As soon as we broke, he was pretty keen to be there, and I was happy with the position. He was doing it easy enough. When we straightened away and I turned him loose, I couldn’t believe the ground he opened up the last eighth of a mile. It’s a testament as to how good this horse is.”

Conquest Twister held off Scholar Athlete to finish second. Hey Bear wound up fourth at 111-1 in the 10-horse field of Canadian-breds.

It was the fourth Coronation victory for Attfield. The hall of famer won it for the first time in 1975 with Norcliffe, who was the last horse to complete a sweep of the race and the following year’s Queen’s Plate.

Attfield also took Sunday’s Grade 2 Autumn with Are You Kidding Me.