Speaker's Speech has breakthrough victory in Grey Stakes
:quality(75))
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Speaker’s Speech had some tough luck in his first two starts, but he put it all together in Sunday’s Grade 3 Grey at Woodbine, earning his diploma in front-running style under Rafael Hernandez.
Speaker’s Speech broke on top in the 1 1/16-mile route for 2-year-olds and was pressed early by the Maryland-based Freedom Hall through a quick opening quarter.
Speaker’s Speech maintained the lead heading into the far turn where his stablemate, the favored Play It Again, commenced a rail rally. The powerful bay never wavered and got home on top by 1 1/4 lengths, in a time of 1:44.55.
Play It Again checked in 3 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Okarito. Freedom Hall faded to fourth and was followed by King’s Counsel, Uncle Dodo, and Authentic Gold.
Speaker’s Speech returned $7.20 as the second choice after being favored throughout most of the betting.
“He impressed me,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t expect to be on the lead. I thought (Freedom Hall) was going to get the lead. On paper, he looked like the best speed. My plan was going to be tracking him, but my horse broke right in front. When he felt (presence of Freedom Hall), he got another gear. He got a breather down the backside, so I opened up a little bit, and then he came home running.”
Speaker’s Speech earned $105,000 of the $175,700 purse for Gold Standard Racing Stable. The son of freshman sire Speaker’s Corner gave trainer Mark Casse his sixth win in the Grey. He was coming off a troubled third in the Grade 3 Algonquin, which followed a slow-starting second at first asking in the Soaring Free Stakes, both on the grass.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.