Master Spy Runs Away in Cup & Saucer

TORONTO, ON – Tracy Farmer’s Master Spy ran away on the front end to wire Saturday’s $250,000 Cup & Saucer Stakes at Woodbine.

Master Spy broke from post 5 under Patrick Husbands as the 5/2 favorite in the field of nine Canadian 2-year-olds and went straight to the lead, where he posted opening fractions of :24.00, :48.11, and 1:12.71.

Still on top as he rounded the far turn, Master Spy gradually pulled away from his rivals while coming under a drive.

The Mark Casse trainee crossed 3 1/4 lengths much the best as he completed the 1 1/16-mile firm outer turf event in 1:42.67.

“The first 2 races run on the turf today, the winners came from behind, so I was telling myself, I hope the (other) riders stick with that plan and I can get an easy lead,” Husbands said. “It’s amazing to see that every time I leave the gate, he was relaxed. He was never rank at all. It showed me that if anybody won’t leave today, I didn’t mind.”

Threefiftyseven was all out in the stretch after closely stalking the pace but was unable to do better than second.

Giant Waters was a 1/2-length clear of Beyond My Dreams for third, while the field’s lone filly Carpe Horseshoe necked out Credit River for fifth.

Dragon’s Brew, Download, and Too Legit completed the order of finish.

Master Spy’s win was his second straight following his maiden-breaking effort here on September 13 and improved his overall record to 4-2-1-1. Purchased for $72,000 as a yearling, the Silent Name colt has now earned $200,239.

Master Spy returned $7.30 to win, $4.40 to place, and $3.30 to show. Threefiftyseven brought back $8.70 to place and $5.80 to show, while Giant Waters paid $5.80 to show.