Woodbine: Incredicat takes first step to Plate in Wando Stakes score

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Incredicat stamped himself as a legitimate Queen’s Plate contender Saturday at Woodbine with a front-running score in the $118,200 Wando Stakes.

Incredicat set moderate fractions under Luis Contreras in the 1 1/16-mile route for 3-year-olds, while being pressed by Perfect Tay and Big Creek. After putting those rivals away, he held off a closing Classic Bryce in the stretch to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:44.08. Big Creek finished another half-length back in third in the five-horse field.

Incredicat shed the blinkers in the Wando off a fading third-place finish in his season opener in an optional-claiming sprint at Gulfstream.

“I needed to get a run into him before he came home,” said trainer Ian Black. “He relaxed really nicely today.”

In his first start around two turns, Incredicat returned $4.40 as the favorite. He banked $72,000 for a partnership that included his breeder, Kinghaven Farm.