Stephen Earns Breakthrough Victory in Coronation
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Photo: Michael Burns
Stephen wins the Coronation Futurity at Woodbine
Al and Bill Ulwelling's 2-year-old colt Stephen tracked down the frontrunning Tio Magico for a breakthrough victory in the 117th edition of the CA$250,000 (US$187,620) Coronation Futurity Nov. 1 at Woodbine.
Justin Stein earned star-of-the-card honors as he notched his fifth win of the day aboard the Kevin Attard trainee, who defeated Tio Magico by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:52.46 to break his maiden in the featured 1 1/8-mile stakes race on Tapeta for Canadian-foaled 2-year-olds.
Tio Magico led the field of eight rookies through fractions of :24.87, :49.20, and 1:13.15, with the favored Cup and Saucer Stakes winner Master Spy pressing the pace.
Meanwhile, Stephen, who followed second-to-last early on after an awkward start, was hustled into fifth-place on the final turn and tipped off the rail to run down Tio Magico in the stretch.
"He broke a little bit funny," noted Stein, chalking the start up to the blustery weather conditions or the colt's inexperience, "but we recovered quick and I was happy with the trip we were getting and he just ran a good race.
"I had to make sure that he knew what was going on. I had to make him run a little more. He put his mind to the task when he got some daylight and took aim at the horse in front of him, he ran by him professionally."
Stephen (left) overtakes Tio Magico to win the Coronation Futurity
Giant Waters finished 2 1/2 lengths behind Tio Magico in third, with Master Spy, British Royalty, One Flint, Threefiftyseven, and Flex completing the order of finish.
Stephen returned $6.30 to win as the 2-1 second choice in this third career start.
Attard said his trainee had always shown signs of talent and took a shot in the restricted Simcoe Stakes for his Aug. 30 debut over 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. Although running eighth there, he gained valuable racing experience.
The bay colt entered the Coronation Futurity off a strong second-place effort, finishing just a half-length behind the Sam-Son Farm homebred Tio Magico in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight Oct. 4.
"Obviously, in the second race, I thought he ran great," said Attard. "He showed a tremendous turn of foot, was coming to the winner, and just ran out of real estate. He's trained well in the interim and he was coming into this race in great shape, so we were pretty high on our chances."
Bred in Ontario by Trackwest Racing, Stephen (named for former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper) is by Constitution and out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Naughty Holiday. He was a $170,000 purchase by the Ulwellings from Randy Miles' consignment to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Stephen was previously bought by South Mills Bloodstock for $75,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale when consigned by Susan Y. Foreman. He has earned $129,964 on the track.
With a gifted youngster taking what is considered a significant 2-year-old race on the road to next year's Queen's Plate, Attard dismissed the myths of the "Coronation Futurity curse" with a laugh. The last horse to complete the Coronation Futurity-Queen's Plate double was Norcliffe, who won this race in 1975.
"Streaks are made to be broken," said Attard, hoping stars will align in the 162nd running of the Plate. "I was born in 1975 so the plan is to break this curse next year."