Woodbine: Royal Egbert wires Shepperton

ETOBICOKE, Ontario—Royal Egbert led throughout Monday’s $125,000 Shepperton Stakes, upsetting his 1-5 stablemate Gypsy Ring in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired runners at Woodbine.

Royal Egbert set moderate fractions on the outside while being pressed by Raincoats’ntuxedos. He began to draw off early in the stretch, and then coasted home on top by four lengths, in 1:16.65. Executive Five outran Raincoats’ntuxedos for third. After finishing a non-threatening fourth, Gypsy Ring was vanned off, but didn’t appear to suffer a serious injury.

Some bridge-jumping action on Gypsy Ring led to lucrative show payoffs. Royal Egbert returned $11.70, $5.90 and $8.80 across the board.

Richard Dos Ramos rode Royal Egbert, who banked $75,000 for owner/trainer Paul Buttigieg.

“This horse is naturally fast,” said Dos Ramos. “I didn’t want to take him out of his (game), but he did relax for me. He didn’t open up four or five on the field. He just opened up half a length. When I tapped him on the shoulder (at the head of the stretch), he bore down on me, and I thought it would take a pretty good one to beat him from there.”