TORONTO, ON – A pair of Old Forester-sired geldings knocked heads in the stretch before Forester’s Turn edged Forester’s Fortune and win Saturday’s $150,000 Greenwood Stakes Presented by Stella Artois at Woodbine.
Forester’s Turn broke sharply from post 2 under Kazushi Kimura at 7/2 odds, then came under pressure from Celebratory entering the far turn.
Celebratory held a slim advantage at the top of the stretch, but Forester’s Fortune had tipped out from his rail-saving position and was flying down the middle of the track to the front.
Forester’s Turn fought gamely along the rail and the two dispatched of Celebratory at the 1/16 pole. Forester’s Turn found a new gear late and held on to win by a 1/2-length.
The Robert Tiller trainee completed the 6-furlong firm outer turf sprint in a final time of 1:07.91.
“He’s very game, this horse, and that young fella that rode him, he’s very game too,” Tiller said. “And he’s young. It’s a great thing to be young. I wish I was young again, but I’m not.”
Artemus Citylimits misfired as the 3/5 favorite, getting up for third late over a weakened Celebratory. Barilko and Last American Exit completed the order of finish in the race restricted to Ontario-bred 3-year-olds.
Forester’s Turn’s victory was his first at the stakes level and improved his overall record to 7-5-0-1 with $189,377 earned for owner/breeder Dr. Rolph Davis.
“This is a nice horse,” Tiller said. “At the end of the day, he’s got heart. All is well, everything went well.”
Forester’s Turn returned $9.90 to win, $5.30 to place, and $2.50 to show. Forester’s Fortune brought back $6.90 to place and $3.10 to show, while Artemus Citylimits paid $2.10 to show.
