Woodbine: Citius holds off closers in Bold Ruckus

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Citius took control from his stablemate Altius in midstretch before holding off two closers to take the $125,000 Bold Ruckus Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Citius ($13.30) saved ground on the turn in fourth in the six-furlong sprint, while Altius set a fast pace over the firm turf. Citius began to make up ground on Altius exiting the turn and then hit the front nearing the eighth pole en route to a three-quarter-length triumph in a time of 1:09.11.

Favored Forestador edged out a troubled Sinister Quill for second, and Altius faded to fourth in the seven-horse field of Ontario-sired 3-year-olds. The top four finishers are all by Old Forester, last year’s leading freshman sire in Canada. The superfecta returned $139.40.

Omar Moreno rode Citius for trainer Ralph Biamonte, who also sent out Altius and the trailing Fortius.

“Every single time I get on him, he always tries,” Moreno said. “Even in the morning workouts, he’s always a different horse when I jump on his back. Today, we were sitting chilly, and when I asked him to run, he finished well.”

Citius collected $75,000 for the partnership of Mary Biamonte and Danny Lococo.