TORONTO, ON – Trainer Breeda Hayes’ Credit River flew home late to pull off the 41/1 upset while making his debut in Saturday’s $135,000 Ontario Racing Stakes at Woodbine.
A late supplement to the field, Credit River broke a step slowly from post 2 under Emma-Jayne Wilson as the longest shot on the board in the juvenile-restricted race.
Settling at the rear of the field early, he watched as Quick Tempo dueled outside the even-money favorite Amsden through a swift opening 1/4-mile in :21.43.
Still in last as the field straightened for home, Credit River was steered to out to the middle of the lane and instantly commenced a strong rally once running in the clear.
Shooting past new leader Sky’s Not Falling in mid-stretch, Credit River continued advancing until he crossed 3/4 of a length clear while completing the 5-furlong firm inner turf sprint in a final time of :57.06.
“It was a tough task and a tall task – I mean, a first-time starter – but he showed his talent today,” said Wilson. “I just let him get his legs. He got away from there okay, but he’s not nearly as quick as those guys were early and I didn’t expect him to be, so when I gathered him up and asked him to pick it up, he didn’t even hesitate. He was all business.”
Though caught late, Sky’s Not Falling held second by 1 1/4 lengths over Souper Classy. Completing the order of finish came Too Legit, Quick Tempo, and Amsden.
Following the race, the stewards held an inquiry into the stretch run and disqualified Quick Tempo to sixth after deeming that he had drifted and interfered with Amsden, who was forced to check hard mid-stretch.
Ready to Repeat scratched, with his connections instead opting to run in Sunday’s Summer Stakes (G1).
Credit River’s win made him the second stakes winner out of the Tactical Cat mare Like a Gem, herself a multiple stakes champion over the local lawn. The 2-year-old Ontario-bred More Than Ready colt earned $73,613 in victory for breeder Garland Williamson, who competes as an owner under the Hillsbrook Farms banner.
“This horse comes by his talent honestly,” Wilson said. “You can see it in the form; his mom was a multiple stakes winner that I used to ride here, and one of his siblings (Hard Not to Like) was a Grade 1 winner, so to see him flourish on the turf is no surprise.”
Credit River returned $84.20 to win, $16.90 to place, and $7.40 to show. Sky’s Not Falling brought back $3.70 to place and $3 to show, while Souper Classy paid $4 to show.
