Canadian Breds Show Up Down South

A handful of Ontario-breds shipped south of the border on the weekend to contest stakes races and came away with some positive results. At the top of the list would be River Seven, owned by Tucci Stables and trained by Woodbine veteran Nick Gonzalez. The runner-up in the Prince of Wales and Breeders’ Stakes, River Seven took on a strong field in the Grade III Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill and came away a half-length winner in the 1 1/16 miles test.

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Woodbine runners first and third in Commonwealth

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Racing just off the pace throughout, River Seven, who came in off a win in the Labeeb Stakes at Woodbine, took command mid-stretch over 2013 Kentucky Derby starter Frac Daddy. Getting up late for third at 25-1 was Ontario-bred Kaigun, who had last run in allowance company at Woodbine. The third Ontario runner – and second choice on the board after River Seven – Golden Sabre, had trouble with the footing coming out of the gate a wound up eighth in the in the 12-horse field.   River Seven has now finished first or second in his last five starts.

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Longshot Dance Again come from the clouds late

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Later on the card, Sam-Son Farms Dance Again put in a strong effort to finish third in the Grade II Mrs. Revere Stakes at 55-1. Racing four wide through most of the 1 1/16 miles on the turf, Dance Again settled in mid-pack early, and appeared to falter and drop out of it as the field entered the fair turn.  Taken to the outside by Patrick Husbands for the stretch drive, Dance Again found another gear inside the sixteenth pole, and ended up just two lengths off the winner, Emotional Kitten, who had placed earlier this year in Grade I events.

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