Woodbine: Part the Seas rallies to win Bessarabian Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The outsider Part the Seas rallied from far back under Jim McAleney to take the $156,800 Bessarabian Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

There was a three-way speed battle in the seven-furlong sprint between the favored Youcan’tcatchme, Dene Court, and Kentucky shipper Purely Hot. The latter did well to salvage fourth after the other two faded in the lane.

Part the Seas was 10th in the early going before closing strongly to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths over 40-1 shot Mekong Delta, who edged out the Maryland-based Strike the Moon for third. Part the Seas covered the distance in 1:22.31 and returned $30.20 to win in the Grade 2 event.

McAleney said it was the first time he’d sat on Part the Seas, who was claimed by trainer Mike De Paulo on behalf of Bear Stable for $62,500 in August.

“She broke a little tardy,” McAleney said. “I didn’t expect to be that far back, so I opted to take an inside trip, and everything unfolded perfectly.”