Easy Time Surges Clear in Marine
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Photo: Michael Burns
Easy Time wins the Marine Stakes at Woodbine
Easy Time put forth a strong showing in the July 11 CA$160,200 (US$128,774) Marine Stakes (G3), giving trainer Mark Casse a sweep of the grade 3 stakes this weekend at Woodbine following Our Flash Drive 's win in Saturday's Selene Stakes (G3).
Away as the fourth choice in the field of six, Easy Time was forwardly placed under jockey Rafael Hernandez as Tidal Forces and Haddassah sparred on the front end, clicking off a first quarter in :24.49. As they headed down the backstretch, Haddassah gained the advantage through a half in :48.56 and three quarters in 1:13.16. Turning for home, Tidal Forces retreated as Easy Time swung three-wide into the lane, charging past Haddassah and holding Keep Grinding at bay under the wire for a two-length victory. Easy Time's stablemate, the favored Frosted Over , finished a troubled fourth only a neck behind Haddassah after encountering traffic in deep stretch.
The Kentucky-bred Easy Time earned his first graded stakes victory, covering the 1 1/16-mile distance on the fast main track in 1:43.62.
"It was unbelievable today," said Hernandez, who was also aboard the Easy Time for his debut score at Woodbine last October. "They told me, 'Raffi, just ride with confidence, get in good position, and he’s going to do the rest.' He did it."
Easy Time paid $11.10 to win on a $2 wager.
The son of Not This Time is now 2-for-4 in his career. Prior to the Marine, he had made two starts in Florida, finishing unplaced in the Jan. 2 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park in his first start on dirt and an encouraging second in a turf allowance optional claiming race Feb. 12 over the Hallandale oval. His career earnings stand at $114,653.
Owned by Breeze Easy, Easy Time was purchased for $250,000 out of Ocala Stud's consignment to the 2020 Ocala Breeders' Sales July Sale of 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age. The dark bay or brown colt was bred by Woods Edge Farm and is the first graded stakes winner produced from his dam, the unraced Cape Town mare Running Creek. She has produced nine winners from as many starters, including stakes winner Softly Lit . Her latest progeny include She'srunninghappy, an unraced 2-year-old daughter of Runhappy , and yearling and foal colts both by Klimt .
Video: Marine S. (G3)
Tio Magico Wires Queenston
Sam-Son Farm homebred Tio Magico took the co-featured CA$125,000 (US$100,480) Queenston Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds, in front-running fashion with Luis Contreras aboard for trainer Gail Cox.
Tio Magico wins the Queenston Stakes at Woodbine
The Uncle Mo gelding broke sharp and cruised through fractions of :23.85 and :46.95 en route to a 2-1/2-length victory in 1:22.54. It was the first stakes victory of his career.
"I just love this guy. I think you haven't seen the best of him," said a beaming Contreras after the victory. “He has something that attracts me and makes me feel good."
Artie's Storm angled out wide from mid-pack on the final turn and came on to finish second in the Queenston, with Queen’s Plate eligible Red River Rebel , the 9-5 favorite, chasing from the rail in third.
Cutting back to seven furlongs after finishing fifth in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Woodbine June 19, Tio Magico paid $6.50 to win as the 2-1 second choice. The winning effort improved his record to 2-1-1 from eight career starts and pushed his earnings to $153,242.
"We've always liked this horse a lot," said Cox. "He ran so well last year, and I think we just probably messed around with his style a little bit. This is how he wants to run, and I think he'll run a distance like this. His gallop out was huge. So, it was so nice to be able to win like this."
Tio Magico was a top three Queen’s Plate contender, assessed at 6-1 odds in the Winterbook predictive rankings. When asked about targeting the 1 1/4-mile first leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown, which takes place Aug. 22 at Woodbine, Cox said the date would be up for discussion among the connections.
Bred in Ontario, Tio Magico is the third and last reported foal out of the grade 3-winning More Than Ready mare Magic Broomstick .