Woodbine: Gypsy Ring takes care of business in Debut Stakes victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Gypsy Ring didn't win like a 1-5 shot, but he did get the job done over a modest field of Ontario-sired runners in Friday's $100,000 Debut Stakes, the opening-day feature at Woodbine.

With Justin Stein aboard, Gypsy Ring raced five lengths off Red Eagle and Executive Five, who dueled through quick fractions in the five-furlong dash. Gypsy Ring commenced his rally at the top of the stretch, and then hit the front inside the eighth pole en route to a half-length win over Executive Five, in a time of 57.42 seconds. Mobil Unit closed for third in a field reduced to six with the scratch of Paso Doble, who is in Saturday's Jacques Cartier Stakes.

"He's a little tricky," said Stein. "He likes to slow down when he makes the lead, and you just have to time it well. He's really talented, and when he kicked today, I knew we'd be a force to be reckoned with."

Gypsy Ring ($2.60) earned $60,000 for Paul Buttigieg, his owner, trainer, and breeder.