Solidify Concrete in Grey Stakes Victory
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Photo: Michael Burns
Solidify wins the Grey Stakes at Woodbine
Solidify was the stakes star of Woodbine's second annual Grey Day Oct. 21, as the 2-year-old colt circled the $125,000 Grey Stakes (G3) field to win the featured event contested over 1 1/16 miles on the main track.
The energetic European invader Chuck Willis fired out of the gate to establish the lead with Jammin Still and 4-5 favorite Nashtrick stalking three-wide through opening fractions of :24.33 and :48.40. Meanwhile, Solidify broke outwards from post 8 but ducked inside and trailed the field early on.
Once settled, jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson moved Solidify into contention, progressing four-wide down the backstretch and improving position on the final turn as the field passed six furlongs in 1:12.33.
Chuck Willis, Nashtrick, and Solidify raced three-across turning for home with Solidify eventually surging ahead down the lane. Tripwire, who had a ground-saving trip behind the leaders, came through between horses and offered up a valiant effort fighting on for second-place honors.
"On paper, I thought maybe Nashtrick would be the lone speed and we'd be sitting second," Wilson said. "It was a little quick the first bit, so I just dropped him to the inside and just let him get settled and come with a run. When I pulled the trigger, it was like he was shot out of a canon."
The Tapizar colt is now undefeated in two starts for trainer Reade Baker and Boston-based owners Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch. Bred in Kentucky by China Horse Club International, Solidify is a full brother to Peppered, the runner-up in last year's Grey Stakes.
"He's a good horse. He was really, really classy the first time he ran," said Wilson of Solidify's 6 1/2-furlong career debut. "I split horses and he held off a tough favorite. I said to Reade that day, 'He's a good horse and he'll go further and he'll do anything you ask,' and I couldn't ask for more."
Solidify prevailed in a final time 1:43.90 by a half-length over Tripwire with Sir Winston finishing third, 3 1/2 lengths behind.
Sent postward as the 4-1 second choice, Solidify paid $10.30, $5, and $4 across the board.
Grimgrinnin' Ghost, the longest shot on the board at 42-1, edged out the other Baker trainee, Inclusive, for fourth. Jammin Still, Nashtrick, and Chuck Willis completed the order of finish.