Silent Poet's change in strategy brings happy ending in Highlander
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A rejuvenated Silent Poet won the Grade 1 Highlander as a 9-1 overlay under Justin Stein on Sunday’s Queen’s Plate undercard at Woodbine.
The heavily favored Saratoga invader Caravel was the surprising pacesetter in the six-furlong turf dash under Irad Oritz Jr., who had just won the $1 million Queen's Plate on Safe Conduct.
Normally a front-runner, Silent Poet bided his time in a three-wide stalking position through the turn before hitting the front early in the stretch. Caravel faded gradually while Admiralty Pier mounted a furious wide rally, but Silent Poet held on to prevail by a half-length, in a time of 1:07.98.
Caravel finished third, and was followed by City Boy, Honey Won’t, Chuck Willis, Old Chestnut, and Turned Aside.
A 6-year-old son of Silent Name, Silent Poet ($21.90) banked $252,000 of the $395,500 purse for Stronach Stable. He was the leading turf sprinter at Woodbine in recent years.
Silent Poet faded to fifth after dueling up front in his first two starts of the year, and a change in tactics was just what the doctor ordered in the Highlander, which was the first Grade 1 victory for trainer Nick Gonzalez.
“When the overnight came out and we had the eight-hole, Justin came by in the morning and said I think we’re going to get a nice trip,” Gonzalez said. “Everything worked out.”