Mr Ritz Looks to Defend Title in Seagram Cup

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Mr Ritz Looks to Defend Title in Seagram Cup
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Photo: Michael Burns
Mr Ritz wins the 2019 Seagram Cup at Woodbine

Earl Mack's homebred Mr Ritz will attempt to defend his title in the $125,000 Seagram Cup Stakes (G3) over 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track July 26 at Woodbine. 

Trained by Josie Carroll, 5-year-old Mr Ritz went gate-to-wire in the 2019 Seagram to win by 1 1/4 lengths under jockey Patrick Husbands, who will once against have the call from post 2. 

Last year's Seagram was the first graded victory for the son of Oasis Dream. He followed with another win in the Presque Isle Mile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs before ending the year with a second in the Autumn Stakes (G2) over the Seagram distance. 

Mr Ritz made his first start this year July 4, running third in the Eclipse Stakes (G2) at Woodbine on the all-weather track. He turned in a bullet work July 18 at Woodbine going five furlongs in :59 2/5, the fastest of 58 at the distance. 

Joining the field from Carroll's barn is Avie's Flatter. The 4-year-old Flatter  colt has not visited the winner's circle since April of last year, when he took the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland. 

Owned by Ivan Dalos, Avie's Flatter is winless in his past seven starts but has hit the board in five. He was second in the Eclipse Stakes in his previous start. Luis Contreras will have the call from post 5. 

The highweight will be Ontario-bred Skywire, a 4-year-old gelded son of Afleet Alex. Trained by Mark Casse and campaigned by Gary Barber and Lucio Tucci, Skywire enters off a win in the Eclipse—the first graded score of his career. 

The Eclipse was the first win from three starts in 2020 for Skywire, who finished fourth in a pair of allowance races March 18 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and June 11 at Woodbine. Rafael Hernandez will ride Skywire from the rail. 


Entries: Seagram Cup S. (G3)

Woodbine, Sunday, July 26, 2020, Race 7

  • Grade III
  • 1 1/16m
  • All Weather Track
  • $125,000
  • 3 yo's & up
  • 4:23 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Skywire (ON)Keeneland Sales Graduate Rafael Manuel Hernandez 121 Mark E. Casse 3/1
2 2Mr Ritz (GB) Patrick Husbands 119 Josie Carroll 2/1
3 3Jungle Fighter (KY) David Moran 119 Michael J. Doyle 12/1
4 4Cooler Mike (ON) Kazushi Kimura 119 Nicholas Nosowenko 20/1
5 5Avie's Flatter (ON) Luis Contreras 119 Josie Carroll 5/2
6 6Tiz a Slam (ON) Steven Ronald Bahen 119 Roger L. Attfield 6/1
7 7Explode (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Justin Stein 119 Stuart C. Simon 10/1
8 8Perfect Tapatino (FR) Emma-Jayne Wilson 119 Roger L. Attfield 20/1