Silent Poet sets course record in Play the King

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Silent Poet punched his ticket to next month’s Grade 1 Woodbine Mile by winning Saturday’s Grade 2 Play the King Stakes in course record time for the seven furlongs on turf at Woodbine.

Silent Poet tracked the leaders along the rail under Gary Boulanger before splitting them early in the stretch. He opened up a daylight lead nearing the eighth pole en route to a 1 ¾-length triumph over pacesetter Sable Island.

Curlin’s Honor rallied wide to finish another neck back in third as the slight favorite. He was followed by a troubled El Tormenta, Admiralty Pier, and Carmenootz.

Over a firm main course, Silent Poet ran the distance in 1:19.22, which was .16 faster than the course record, set by Soaring Free in the 2004 Play the King.

Boulanger said that Silent Poet, a son of leading Ontario sire Silent Name, has improved by leaps and bounds this year at 4 under the guidance of trainer Nick Gonzalez.

“It’s unmeasurable,” Boulanger said. “He showed a lot of try last year. This year, he’s so focused on his job. He’s been a lot of fun to be around. Nick’s done a tremendous job. I’m just grateful I get to ride him.”

Silent Poet was coming off a front-running victory in his season opener in an open allowance.

“He’s never been the kind who has to have the lead,” Boulanger said. “He’s so manageable. He’s such a good gate horse. He’s always there.”

Silent Poet ($13.10) earned $126,000 of the $205,100 purse for Stronach Stables.