Chapalu Easily Defeats Field in Woodbine's Grey Stakes

Edward Seltzer and Beverly Anderson's Chapalu brought his record to two wins and a second from three starts after taking the $130,900 Grey Stakes (G3) in wire-to-wire fashion Oct. 27 at Woodbine.

A field of nine 2-year-olds entered the starting gate for the 1 1/16-mile test over the synthetic track, with Chapalu going to post as the 8-5 favorite. The son of Flatter  was not rushed to the lead but ended up there anyway, running along comfortably with his ears up as a quarter-mile went in :24:45 and a half went in :48.17.

Picking up the pace around the turn for home, jockey Patrick Husbands remained still aboard the leader as he opened up a four-length lead and others shuffled for position behind him. Muskoka Gold, who settled next to last after a half-mile, closed late to get within a half-length of the winner at the wire but had to settle for second. Lookinatamiracle, another half-length back, finished third.

"I watched the last two races, and last time (Chapalu) was a little bit rank in the first turn, and he relaxed throughout the rest of the race," Husbands said. "Coming into this race today, I was on the outside and I just wanted to give him an easy trip, and he left there aggressive.

"He was doing it so easy. When I got going in the first turn and he gave me his ears, I knew he wasn't going too fast. And then by the five-eighths pole, his ears were still pricked, so I knew he wasn't going too fast. Then by the three-quarter pole, his ears were still pricked and I said, 'You know what? He's the real deal.'"

Trained by Arnaud Delacour, Chapalu finished second in his Aug. 1 debut at Laurel Park and returned to break his maiden Oct. 6 at Keeneland, where he came from off the pace to score a 3 3/4-length win under jockey Javier Castellano.

A homebred for his owners, Chapalu is the first stakes winner for his dam, the Black Minnaloushe mare Panther Strike.