Spice Route too good for Singspiel rivals

ETOBICOKE, Ontario -- Spice Route, making his first start in more than six months for trainer Roger Attfield, rallied strongly through the stretch for a convincing 3 3/4-length victory in Sunday's at Woodbine.

Jockey Mike Smith got the 6-year-old Spice Route to relax off the pace in the 1 1/2-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and upward, and once he pulled the trigger there was no doubt as to the outcome.

"He felt great under me the whole way," said Smith. "Roger told me in the paddock 'You don't want to him hit the front too soon with him. He's going to be a little bit fresh. You've got to cover him up, and make that one run with him.'"

Solitaire, also returning from a lengthy layoff, tracked the pace on the inside and finished well to be second in the field of nine.

Perfect Shower, also trained by Attfield, stalked the pace and moved to the lead around the final turn but flattened out and finished another 4 1/2 lengths back in third.

Spice Route, who is owned by Attfield in partnership with Dick Bonnycastle and Ralph Johnson, earned $90,000 to boost his career bankroll to $966,532. He covered the distance in 2:26.74 and paid $5.10.