Silent Sting Takes Kingarvie

Stronach Stables' Silent Sting came flying through the stretch along the rail to win the $125,000 Kingarvie Stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds Dec. 9 at Woodbine.

Silent Sting gave trainer Sid Attard his third victory on the day and back-to-back Saturday stakes wins following Kingsport's Sir Barton Stakes score one week ago.

Luis Contreras worked out the winning trip aboard the Silent Name  colt, who raced midfield throughout the 1 1/16-mile stakes event behind pacesetter Handsome Like Me's fractions of :24.53, :49.41, and 1:13.73 for six furlongs. Diving toward the rail in the stretch as Cooler Mike confronted Handsome Like Me, Silent Sting wrested command.

"I was thinking to go outside but when I saw the rail, I took my shot to go inside and he was strong through it," Contreras said. "Once he went through the little hole, it was all him."

Silent Sting prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:44.97 over outside closers Beer Pressure and Be Vewy Vewy Quiet, while Cooler Mike edged out Handsome Like Me for fourth. Silent Sting paid $6.60, $4.20 and $2.80, while Beer Pressure brought $10.30 and $6.30, with Be Vewy Vewy Quiet returned $3.40. The order of finish was completed by Ginger Sky, Royal Laser, Crumlin Night, Absolution, and Sheriff Clarke.

Silent Sting was sent postward as the 2-1 favorite in the field of 10 following his close runner-up finish to Be Vewy Vewy Quiet in the seven-furlong Frost King Stakes last month.

"Last time he couldn't get out in time, and today Luis used his head, and when it opened he just went for it and he got there," Attard said.

Bred in Ontario by Phoenix Rising Farms out of the Monarchos mare Mona Mia, Silent Sting was a $150,000 purchase by Stronach's Adena Springs from Elm Tree Farm's consignment to the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale. He has earned $106,756 in his debut season, with two wins and two seconds from four starts.