Halo Again Lands Eventful Coronation Futurity Score
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Photo: Michael Burns
Halo Again wins the Coronation Futurity
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's undefeated 2-year-old Halo Again captured the CA$225,000 (US$169,157) Coronation Futurity for Canadian-foaled juveniles Nov. 23 at Woodbine.
The Coronation Futurity, contested over 1 1/8 miles on Woodbine's all-weather track, is considered a stepping stone to the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Queen's Plate.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Halo Again arrived at Woodbine off a victorious seven-furlong debut Oct. 27 at Churchill Downs.
With Rafael Hernandez aboard Saturday, the son of Speightstown raced along the rail behind pacesetter Green Growth through fractions of :25.29, :50.15, and 1:14.76. Despite losing position in the final turn, Halo Again re-rallied down the stretch and shot through late to score the victory. He prevailed in a final time of 1:51.82 by a head over Malibu Mambo, who closed from last on the far outside to make it into the win photo.
Favored Muskoka Gold closed within three-quarters of a length to finish third. Halo Again paid $8.70 to win as the 3-1 second choice.
"The first time on the Tapeta and under the night lights, he gave me a hard time, but he's a nice horse," said Hernandez.
Bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms out of the Unbridled's Song mare Halo's Verse, Halo Again was a $600,000 yearling purchase by Winchell Thoroughbreds from his breeder's consignment to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is a half brother to the multiple graded stakes-placed mare Inflexibility, who won the 2017 Wonder Where Stakes as well as the Carotene Stakes at Woodbine.