Frosted Over Posts Handy Ontario Derby Score
Image:
Description:
Photo: Michael Burns
Frosted Over captures the Ontario Derby at Woodbine
Kazushi Kimura continued his winning ways when guiding the Mark Casse-trained Frosted Over to a mild upset in the Oct. 31 CA$159,300 (US$128,562) Ontario Derby at Woodbine.
Through Sunday, the Japan native towers atop the Woodbine jockey standings with 42 more wins than number two placeholder Rafael Hernandez. The Ontario Derby was his third graded stakes score at the track this year following Our Secret Agent in the Hendrie Stakes (G3) and Corelli in the Singspiel Stakes (G3T).
"I have been having an amazing year, and you know what, last year I won the Ontario Derby (with Field Pass ) as well," said Kimura.
In this year's Ontario Derby, Frosted Over, entering off a game Sept. 11 allowance score, broke sharply and tucked in right off Swot Analysis as that rival led the field of 3-year-olds through slow opening splits of :25.03 and :50.21. After three-quarters in 1:14.26, Kimura called on Frosted Over and the Gary Barber-owned bay answered emphatically, coasting by the leader and holding a half-length advantage at the stretch call.
Frosted Over then widened his advantage with ease down the lane, crossing the line 3 3/4 lengths ahead of Riptide Rock , who was 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Artie's Storm .
The final time for 1 1/8 miles over the Tapeta synthetic surface was 1:50.50. Frosted Over paid $19.40 for the win.
"I knew today it was a strong wind, so I just wanted to cross to the front," said Kimura. "My horse is a closer, and it was smooth to get a good position. I was just the hand to make him steady. I've liked this horse since I broke the maiden. He was at one point training for the seven furlongs, and I was like, 'Man, that horse is going to be a stakes winner,' and he did it today."
It was the third win from six career starts, third in the past four engagements, and first stakes victory for Frosted Over. The colt now has earnings of $146,278.
The son of Frosted was bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and is the first foal out of the winning Candy Ride mare Candy Crush. He was acquired for $275,000 in 2019 at The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearlings sale in Kentucky, by agent Justin Casse out of the Lane's End consignment.
Munnyfor Ro wins the Ontario Damsel Stakes
In other Sunday stakes action at Woodbine, Raroma Stable's Munnyfor Ro notched another stakes win to her belt with a decisive victory over U.S. invader Oyster Box in the CA$142,500 (US$142,500) Ontario Damsel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies earlier on the card.
The Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser and Wonder Where Stakes heroine was bet down as the 8-5 favorite facing a field of six other fillies. Jockey Justin Stein had Munnyfor Ro positioned in midpack sitting behind a crawling pace of :25.59 and :50.85. The tempo began to pick up though as the field turned for home and Munnyfor Ro reeled in the leaders, surging clear in the final sixteenth to prevail by a length at the wire.
"I expected a little more pace, but I was in a good spot," said Stein. "(Munnyfor Ro) was sitting comfortably in behind the slower pace and we were in the right spot for those fractions. When I called on her, she was there. She gave me everything."
The Ontario-bred daughter of Munnings stopped the clock in 1:45.36 for the 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta. Oyster Box rallied for second, a head in front of Gold for Kitten .
"She's done everything we've asked and now she's going to get a deserved break and some sunshine on her back and have a chance to kind of drop her head and eat some grass in the south," trainer Kevin Attard said of the winner.
Munnyfor Ro earned her fourth win from 12 career starts for earnings of $551,217. She was bred by Daybar out of the Distorted Humor mare Repartee and was a $65,000 purchase from the Woods Edge Farm consignment to the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Video: Ontario Damsel S. (BT)