Woodbine: Matador by a nose in Cup and Saucer Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Matador graduated in style Sunday at Woodbine in the $251,200 Cup and Saucer Stakes, edging out the promising filly Cool Faith in the 1 1/16-mile route for 2-year-olds.

Over a turf course labeled “yielding,” Matador and Cool Faith hooked up on the lead while Maritime Pulpit tracked them on the outside. Matador had his head in front of Cool Faith for most of the stretch and held on to prevail by a nose, in 1:47.89, after they raced into a strong headwind through the lane.

Asserting Bear closed wide to finish third, while the favored Maryland shipper Lulu Le’ Mon wound up seventh in the 11-horse field of Canadian-breds.

“I wanted to be close to the pace because the turf was kinda soft,” said Luis Contreras, who rode Matador for trainer Mark Casse. “He did everything right.”

Matador returned $7.50 as the second choice in the betting. The Malibu Moon colt collected $150,000 for owner John Oxley.