Easy Time Triumphs In Marine

TORONTO, ON – Easy Time put forth a strong showing in the $150,000 Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds on Sunday, giving trainer Mark Casse a sweep of the Grade 3 stakes this weekend at Woodbine following Saturday’s Selene Stakes. 

Tidal Forces and Haddassah left well with the latter gaining the upper hand after a 1/4 in :24.49. As they headed down the backstretch, Haddassah pulled clear on top and clocked middle fractions of :48.56 and 1:13.16.  

Meanwhile, Easy Time was forwardly-placed and stalked the top pair towards the outside. Tidal Forces showed hustle between foes on the turn but leveled off as a three-wide Easy Time went charging past Haddassah down the stretch for the 2-length victory.  

Easy Time earned his first graded stakes victory, covering the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.62 under Rafael Hernandez. 

“It was unbelievable today,” said Hernandez, who was also aboard the Kentucky-bred colt for his victorious career debut at Woodbine last October. “They told me, ‘Raffi, just ride with confidence, get in good position, and he’s going to do the rest.’ He did it.” 

Easy Time paid $11.10 to win as the 9/2 fourth choice. Keep Grinding, one of four Queen’s Plate eligibles in the race, closed well to finish second while Haddassah held on for third by a neck over Frosted Over, another Kentucky-bred trained by Casse, and Tidal Forces. Candy Overload completed the line up. 

Owned by Breeze Easy LLC, the Not This Time-Running Creek colt is now 2 for 4 in his career.