War Bomber Strikes in King Edward

In the two years since owner Bruno Schickedanz claimed the well-bred gelding War Bomber  for CA$25,000 in August 2021, the son of War Front   continues to find the mark.

On Aug. 19 at Woodbine, the now 5-year-old scored for the seventh time in 19 races, his fifth win for his current connections, taking the CA$205,700 King Edward Stakes (G2T) in a photo finish over a determined pacesetter in Treason . The King Edward marked his third stakes victory following the 2021 Toronto Cup and the 2022 Seagram Cup (G3).

Saturday he showed off his skill over a mile on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, tracking several lengths off Treason through splits of :23.53, :45.63, and 1:08.55, before catching that one by midstretch. Moving past Treason at the eighth pole, he seemed headed to a clear victory before Treason battled back. Angled toward his inside rival by Walcott, War Bomber hit the wire a neck in front, timed in 1:32.41 for the distance. He paid $14.90 to win.

"I just went across a little bit more to the rail so my horse could see what's coming, so I can fight on and keep fighting today and on the line," Walcott said. "It was a good finish; I enjoyed it."

Lucky Score  rallied for third, 2 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up, edging comebacking favorite Shirl's Speight , whose rally stalled in the final eighth of a mile.

Though War Bomber dipped into the claiming ranks early in his career, not fulfilling his potential until he was gelded, he always had the bloodlines for excellence. Bred in Ireland by Coolmore out of the Indian Ridge  mare Sun Shower , War Bomber is related to three other group/graded stakes winners, including top-level winners Lancaster Bomber and Excelebration . Lancaster Bomber and War Bomber are full brothers.

Like those runners, War Bomber excels as a turf horse, though he is also highly effective on synthetic tracks.

"He seems versatile to me," said Schickedanz, last year's Sovereign Award-winning owner. "I don't know where he's better. Seriously. He's good on both surfaces."

A lucrative turf option looms next month at Woodbine. The King Edward often propels horses into the CA$1 million Woodbine Mile (G1T) Sept. 19.

Video: King Edward S. (G2T)

War Bomber was not the only CA$25,000 claim to capture a stakes Saturday on the Woodbine grass course. A couple of races earlier on the card, Canadiansweetheart  upset the CA$131,500 Sweet Briar Too Stakes at 36-1 odds. Leo Salles rode the winner for trainer Renico Lafond and owner Chris Manohar.

Talk to Ya Later  was second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of favored Clitheroe  in third.

The winner, a 3-year-old daughter of Ransom the Moon  , ran six furlongs on firm turf in 1:08.68. She returned $75.70 for a $2 win wager.

Video: Sweet Briar Too S. (BT)

Editor's Note: BloodHorse's on-track coverage of King's Plate Weekend is partially funded with travel provided by Woodbine.