Kingsport Gets Easy Win in Second Straight Sir Barton
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Photo: Michael Burns
Kingsport wins the Sir Barton Stakes at Woodbine
Favored Kingsport shined bright in the last race of his 6-year-old season Dec. 2, pouncing on the turn for home to win the CA$100,000 Sir Barton Stakes over the all-weather track at Woodbine for the second year in a row. He also won the race in 2015.
Entrants in the stakes for 3-year-olds and older had to be sired by a stallion standing the full season during the year of conception in Ontario.
Trained by Sid Attard for Goldmart Farms and Royal Laser Racing, Kingsport came into the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton with three stakes victories in 2018. The son of Milwaukee Brew brought his record to 11-7-3 from 31 starts and his earnings to US$695,945. According to his conditioner, it was the last race of the season for Kingsport.
Jockey Luis Contreras replaced Jesse Campbell aboard Kingsport after Campbell was unseated in the paddock earlier in the day. Though he was alert and conscious, Campbell was taken to the hospital for further examination.
"I feel so bad for (Campbell). … He was dying to ride this horse today," Attard said. "He worked him twice, and he said, 'Sid, this horse is in top shape. I can't wait for Sunday.' I feel so bad for him, I want to cry, honest to God."
Out of the gate, Silent Poet went straight to the lead and set fractions of :24.92 and :49.78 for the first half-mile, with Eskiminzin and Boreal Spirit following to his outside. Kingsport was settled in fourth. As six furlongs went in 1:13.85, Contreras guided Kingsport around the leaders three wide and was on even terms with Silent Poet and Eskiminzin briefly before taking the lead in the stretch.
Kingsport pulled away to a 3 3/4-length score in a final time of 1:43.72, and Silent Poet dug in to hold on for second. Thor's Rocket, who raced near last early on and was strong on the backstretch, requiring him to check between Kingsport and Boreal Spirit, finished third.
"He's such a beautiful horse. He's in great shape," Contreras said. "Sid told me, 'He's in great shape. You stay to the outside and be comfortable' and I just wanted to be a great passenger. … Hopefully, Jesse gets well soon."
The winner paid $5.20, $3.30, and $2.10. Bred by Richard Moylan in Ontario, Kingsport is out of the Green Dancer mare Green Jewel.
Video: Sir Barton S. (BT)