Halo Again Wins Again in Coronation Futurity

TORONTO, ON – Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing’s Halo Again made it two-for-two in his young career when he re-rallied late along the inside to win Saturday’s $225,000 Coronation Futurity Stakes at Woodbine.

Breaking from the rail under Rafael Hernandez as the 3/1 second choice, Halo Again kept his inside position heading into the first turn and settled into third. Tomcat Black sat just to his outside while Green Growth posted opening fractions of :25.29, :50.15, and 1:14.76.

Halo Again appeared to fall off midway through the far turn, fading as far back to fifth at one point, but Hernandez didn’t panic. Finding space inside of Green Growth in mid-stretch, Halo Again took advantage being able to outlast his tiring front-running foes.

Despite valiant late-running efforts from Malibu Mambo and the 9/5 favorite Muskoka Gold on the far outside, Halo Again was able to cross the wire first by a head. The Steve Asmussen trainee completed the 1 1/8-mile event over the fast synthetic main track in a final time of 1:51.82.

“The first time on the Tapeta and under the night lights, he gave me a hard time, but he’s a nice horse,” Hernandez said.

Malibu Mambo outkicked Muskoka Gold for second by 3/4 of a length, while Green Growth faded late to fourth. Tomcat Black was fifth ahead of Northern Thunder, with Pleasecallmeback and Kunal completing the order of finish.

Halo Again’s win followed his successful debut graduation on October 27 while going 7 furlongs over the Churchill Downs main track. The 2-year-old son of Speightstown, purchased for $600,000 as a yearling, has now earned $137,725 in his young career.

Halo Again returned $8.70 to win, $6.70 to place, and $4.30 to show. Malibu Mambo brought back $8.20 to place and $4.50 to show, while Muskoka Gold paid $2.30 to show.