Ironstone, Souper Hoity Toity Win Stakes at Woodbine

Ironstone , under leading rider Kazushi Kimura, was at the top of his game in taking the Ontario Derby (G3) Oct. 23 at Woodbine.

The Minkster  quickly grabbed the lead in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds, and Ironstone settled into second on the first turn. The Minkster clicked off an opening quarter in :24.47 as Kimura kept close tabs on him, with Bringer of Rain , Mannix , and Luckman  rounding out the early order.

Luckman made a rapid move from last to second, just to the outside of The Minkster, as Ironstone remained nestled along the rail through a half in :48.67. Still on top as the field straightened for home, The Minkster was soon confronted by Ironstone, who wore him down just past the furlong marker and earned a 2 3/4-length victory in 1:49.15 on the Tapeta. Bringer of Rain was third, with Mannix fourth.

"We've been teaching him to be a little more comfortable in the morning time," Kimura said.

The son of Mr Speaker   had posted a trio of thirds in 2022, along with a fourth in the Queen's Plate Stakes and a runner-up effort in the Prince of Wales Stakes, the opening two jewels in the Canadian Triple Crown Presented by OLG.

On this day, the multiple stakes-winning gray colt delivered his finest triumph to date.

"This win is very special for me," said trainer William Armata. "This horse has taken me places I've never been in my career, the Queen's Plate, and the Prince of Wales. It was just a phenomenal run. I was very happy with both performances. Unfortunately, we couldn't win, but we were in the big dance. He showed today he was the boss."

It was the third win, along with four seconds and a trio of thirds, from 12 starts for the Tequesta Racing and Jupiter Leasing colt, who was bred in Ontario by Kingview Farms.

Last year, Ironstone went 2-3-0 from six starts, with the victories coming in stakes, the Simcoe and Clarendon.

"I'm very proud of myself and I'm proud of my crew and everyone that deals with the horse," Armata said. "It's all a team effort. I know there's an 'I' in Ironstone, but I'm proud of everybody. I just want to thank the owners for giving me an opportunity to train a horse like Ironstone. It's just been an unbelievable run."

Ironstone paid $4.80 for the win.

The colt is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Casey's Dreamin', who also has a 2-year-old Sky Mesa   colt named Mesa Spirit and a yearling filly by Yoshida   named A.A. Fujoshi. She was bred back to Candy Ride   for 2023. 

Souper Hoity Toity Takes the Ontario Damsel Stakes

Souper Hoity Toity , ridden by Patrick Husbands, took the $127,250 Ontario Damsel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, contested at 1 1/16 miles over Woodbine's Tapeta.   

After lively opening splits of :23.86 and :47.93 set by Crystal Ship , Souper Hoity Toity, the 1-5 choice, assumed command just after the stretch call and won by a half-length in a time of 1:43.44. Love to Run  was second and Crystal Ship finished third. 

"I was getting the perfect trip," Husbands said. "I put her in the clear by the three-eighths pole and she flattened right out on me by the three-eighths pole, going into the quarter pole and down the lane, but she's all class and she just fought to win. She's all class from day one."

Owned by Live Oak Plantation and trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, the daughter of Uncle Mo   finished fourth in her career bow at Ellis Park last August before reeling off two straight scores at Woodbine. She launched her 3-year-old campaign with back-to-back grade 3 victories, in the Selene Stakes (G3) July 2 and the Ontario Colleen Stakes Aug. 6. 

She arrived at the Ontario Damsel off a troubled trip in the Duchess Stakes, where she was checked on heels at the quarter pole but still came running to be second.  

Now 5-1-0 from eight starts, Souper Hoity Toity ($2.70) was bred in Kentucky by Dr. Richard Holder and Coolmore. She is out of the Speightstown   mare Town Tour, who also has a 2-year-old Uncle Mo filly named Mo Town Mayhem, a yearling Malibu Moon  filly, and a 2022 Game Winner   colt. She was bred back to Uncle Mo for 2023. 

Video: Ontario Damsel S. (BT)

Video: Ontario Derby (G3)