Skywire wins Wando Stakes impressively

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Skywire stamped himself as a serious contender for the Queen’s Plate with an historic victory in Sunday’s $114,200 Wando Stakes under Eurico Da Silva, who was winning his sixth straight race on the Woodbine card.

Skywire ($3.80) took up the chase in second behind his Mark Casse-trained stablemate Federal Law, who set honest fractions in the 1 1/16-mile route for 3-year-olds. Skywire made his way to the lead exiting the far turn, then held off the stalking shipper Global Access while drifting in through the final furlong, scoring by 2 1/2 lengths.

Federal Law faded to finish a distant third. He was followed by Candy Crushem, Insider Trading, and Curlin Grey.

“He’s a very talented horse,” Da Silva said. “I gambled a little bit. I had so much horse. I pulled the trigger a little early. He was fighting, fighting. I know he got a little green at the end. He’s still learning. This horse [still] has a lot to show.”

A son of Afleet Alex, Skywire covered the distance in a quick 1:42.37, just 0.21 seconds off the synthetic track record. He banked $72,000 in his first stakes triumph for owners Gary Barber and Lou Tucci.

The $1 million Queen’s Plate will be contested here June 29, and Skywire figures to have one more start in between.

Da Silva’s streak fell one win shy of the Woodbine record for consecutive victories by a jockey.