Out of Towner Corelli Strolls to Singspiel Victory
Image:
Description:
Photo: Michael Burns
Corelli wins the Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine
Augustin Stable's homebred Corelli , under a perfectly-judged ride by Kazushi Kimura, took charge in deep stretch and strolled home a 1 3/4-length winner in the Aug. 21 CA$160,800 Singspiel Stakes (G3T), run over 1 1/4-miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine.
Corelli, who gave trainer Jonathan Thomas his first Canadian victory, had sat patiently towards the rear of the eight-horse field as longshot Peace of Ekati set the pace with 5-2 second choice Belichick keeping close order through a quarter in :25.90, half in :50.55, and six furlongs in 1:14.91.
Belichick moved to the lead in early stretch, holding a half-length advantage through a mile in 1:38.51 and a half-length margin with a furlong to run.
Corelli was on the march, however, and finding a seam in midstretch, was quick to seize the advantage and held the closing English Conqueror at bay while finishing in 2:01.70 over firm ground.
"I watch all the time before the race what's in the program, watching the horse, watching the jockeys," said Kimura. "Just hoping that I'd get room (in the stretch). And I did it."
English Conqueror, an 11-1 shot, stalked from towards the rear of the field was up to gain the place by a length over Belichick.
Theregoesjojo , at 9-1, was in touch throughout and missed third money by ja neck in checking in fourth.
Primo Touch , Peace of Ekati , the 9-5 favorite Eons , and Woodbridge , completed the order of finish.
Corelli, a 6-year-old gelding, was a three-time winner in England before relocating to North America in 2020. The son of Point of Entry placed in last year's United Nations Stakes (G1T) at Monmouth Park and won the listed Henry S. Clark Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in his 2021 opener.
"He's a classy horse," said Kimura. "I'm so appreciative to the owner and the trainer, and I hope I get another mount on him."
Corelli upped his career earnings to $270,011 and earned his fifth win from 18 lifetime starts. The 7-2 third choice, he returned $9.80 to win.
Out of the stakes-winning Diesis mare Vignette, Corelli is a half brother to St. Leger (G1) victor Lucarno and group 2 winners Thought Worthy and Flying Officer .
Video: Singspiel S. (G3T)
Boardroom All Business in Seaway
LNJ Foxwoods' Boardroom was simply brilliant in winning the CA$155,400 Seaway Stakes (G3) later on the Saturday card.
Luis Contreras looked confident from the moment the gates opened in the seven-furlong Seaway for fillies and mares, piloting the Josie Carroll trainee to the easiest of victories in the main track event.
Boardroom wins the Seaway Stakes at Woodbine
After breaking sharply from the outside post seven, Boardroom was settled comfortably into fourth as Toffen seized the early lead and took her rivals through an opening quarter timed in :23.34, as Hell N Wild and Fiduciary followed in second and third, respectively.
Toffen, ahead by 1 1/2-lengths after a half in :46.39, was soon confronted by rivals to her outside, a group that included 6-5 choice Boardroom.
As the field rounded the turn for home, Contreras took a quick glance to see if any closers were coming to call, before giving the 4-year-old daughter of Commissioner her cue.
From there, it was game over.
The duo dashed away from their pursuers with ease, widening their advantage with every stride, crossing the wire 4 1/2 lengths in front. Our Secret Agent finished second, two lengths ahead of Amalfi Coast .
Time for seven panels over the Tapeta was 1:22.02.
"We had a good break, and I was in control of the race every single step of the way," said Contreras. "She always surprised me, even in the morning and the afternoon. Every race she gave me, she showed me some improvement. So, I'm very happy with this filly. I love her."
It was the fifth win, along with one second and a third, from seven starts for Boardroom, who also counts stakes scores in the June 19 Whimsical Stakes (G3) and last fall's Duchess Stakes here at Woodbine.
"She's just a really special filly," said Carroll. "I think we knew from the moment she came in that she had the capability, and she's just blossomed as she's gotten older. We're so fortunate that LNJ Foxwoods would send her to us.
"I think we'll see how she comes out of it, but we do have a great sprint series here at Woodbine. So, it's a wonderful place for her to be."
Bred in Kentucky by Polo Green Stable, Boardroom launched her career with two straight victories, starting last June at Woodbine. She now sports a 5-1-1 record from seven career starts and earnings of $283,569.
Boardroom sold to bloodstock partnership of Alex Solis II and Jason Litt as a juvenile for $475,000 at the 2019 Ocala Breeders' Sale's Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training from the Q Bar J Thoroughbreds consignment. She is the first stakes winner out the Rahy mare Money Madness , who produced a yearling colt by Bolt d'Oro and foaled a Vino Rosso colt this past season.