Casse Trainees Skywire, Heavenly Curlin Win at Woodbine
Image:
Description:
Photo: Michael Burns
Skywire pulls away under Rafael Hernandez in the Autumn Stakes at Woodbine
Woodbine's meet-leading trainer Mark Casse teamed with jockey Rafael Hernandez to sweep the graded stakes races Nov. 7 at the Toronto oval.
Their victories were topped by the CA$199,850 (US$152,999) Autumn Stakes (G2) as Gary Barber and Lucio Tucci's Skywire went from last to first in the main-track race for 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles.
After a first quarter in :24.21, Skywire was trailing the field, which was reduced to five starters following the scratch of the Casse-trained Dream Maker.
It was another stablemate, the favored Salute With Honor, who controlled the pace after crossing to command before the first turn. Fresh off his Durham Cup (G3) victory last month, Salute With Honor continued to lead through a half-mile in :48.10 before Armistice Day headed him past the 1:11.85 three-quarters mark.
However, Skywire had improved to third down the backside and rallied three wide on the final turn as Armistice Day took the lead. They battled briefly down the lane before Skywire surged by to score in 1:42.70 by 1 3/4 lengths. Armistice Day stayed for second while Timeskip, who was denied racing room between rivals down the lane, finished third after moving inside. Vanzzy was fourth, and Salute With Honor faded to fifth.
Skywire, the winner of the Eclipse Stakes (G2) over the same course and distance this summer, paid $6.70 as the 2-1 second pick. He entered the Autumn after putting forth a strong rally to finish one length behind Salute With Honor in the Durham Cup.
"Last time, we were stuck inside and by the time he was clear and started running, it was too late, but today I made sure he had a clear path the whole way and you see the results," said Hernandez, who knew turning for home it was his race to win. "Every time he switches leads, he gives you another gear. When he switched leads, I thought, that's it. If they're going to beat me, they have to come running because my horse was running."
Bred in Ontario by the late Bill Graham, the 4-year-old son of Afleet Alex now has five wins to go along with three seconds from 14 starts. He has earned $392,657.
Skywire, a 4-year-old son of Afleet Alex out of the Gone West mare Meandering Stream, was bred in Ontario by the late William Graham and hails from the family of champions Sky Classic, Regal Classic, and Classy 'N Smart. He is the lone stakes winner from his dam from four to race, all of whom are winners.
He was purchased for $45,000 by Hidden Brook, agent, from the de Meric Sales consignment at Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale in 2018.
Team Casse struck two races earlier as 3-year-old filly Heavenly Curlin continued her winning momentum when facing stakes company for the first time in the co-featured CA$126,300 (US$96,691) Maple Leaf Stakes (G3).
With Hernandez picking up the mount, Heavenly Curlin trounced her older rivals with ease, launching her attack from the backfield on the final turn and drawing away by 5 3/4 lengths. Her winning time was 2:03.24 over 1 1/4 miles on the Tapeta.
Heavenly Curlin wins the Maple Leaf Stakes at Woodbine
Auntie Katherine and Juliana traded turns on the lead through fractions of :23.93, :48.79, and 1:13.04 before Heavenly Curlin moved into contention as they raced past the mile mark in 1:37.93. She took command as the fillies and mares headed into the homestretch en route to her third straight victory.
After posting a pair of wins over 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta, Heavenly Curlin was sent postward as the 5-2 second choice and returned $7.60 to win. Art of Almost, the 2-1 favorite, settled for second after closing from midpack, and Peace Seeker rode the rail to finish 1 1/4 lengths back in third after tracking the pacesetters.
Multiple graded stakes winner Elizabeth Way was fourth. Juliana, Gun Society, the winner's stablemate Tappitty Tappitty, A Broken Breeze, Silent Tango, and Auntie Katherine completed the order of finish.
"There was too much speed in the race, so the main thing was getting her relaxed," Hernandez said of the winning trip. "We just sat behind (Art of Almost), and when we turned for home, I just put her in the clear. She was doing her thing and just rolling down the lane."
Owned by Barber and John Oxley, the lightly raced Kentucky-bred daughter of Curlin is now 3-for-5 with earnings of $127,762 and boasts a perfect three-race Woodbine record.
Bred by Elevage II, Heavenly Curlin is out of the winning Encosta de Lago mare Taste Of Heaven and is one of her dam's two winners and the only stakes winner. She was a $625,000 purchase at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by bloodstock agent Justin Casse from the Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency consignment.
Video: Autumn S. (G2)