Woodbine: City Wolf fires fresh in Durham Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — City Wolf rallied strongly from third under Emma Wilson to win his stakes debut in the $151,800 Durham Cup at Woodbine on Sunday.

It was the fourth consecutive win for City Wolf ($8.10), who was returning from a layoff in the 1 1/8-mile route. He banked $90,000 for Stronach Stable and trainer Reade Baker.

The other Stronach runner in the Grade 3 race, favored Don Cavallo, set a moderate pace before fading. City Wolf took control early in the stretch, before holding off James Street to win by 2 ¼ lengths, in 1:50.38. Stately Victor rallied belatedly for third, and Don Cavallo trailed the five-horse field.

“My guy was a little sharper than he usually is,” said Wilson. “They were going slow up front, but he settled back going into the first turn. Once he settled down after the first little bit, he was just like butter in my hands. He relaxed nicely, and I had a good trip. I was able to ride him with confidence.”

Indian Pond ($4.70) came wide from midpack to take Sunday’s sub-feature, the $150,800 Carotene Stakes, which was moved from turf to Polytrack. It was the third winner on the card for trainer Mark Casse, who gave Patrick Husbands a leg up on Indian Pond.