Shahroze Scores in G3 Singspiel

TORONTO, ON – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Head of Plains Partners’ Shahroze discovered that Canadian grass is to his liking after he shot to the lead late and held on for his first stakes score in Saturday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Singspiel Stakes.

Breaking from post 2 under Alan Garcia, Shahroze took back and settled at the rear of the eight-horse field while Final Copy and Seeking Albert posted initial splits of :25.33, :50.33, 1:14.07, and 1:38.03 for the opening mile. Still under a hold through the far turn, Garcia tipped Shahroze out at the top of the stretch and encouraged his steed to commence a five-wide rally down the stretch. Gaining the advantage with 1/16 of a mile to go, Shahroze carried his momentum through to the wire, claiming victory by 2 lengths in a final time of 2:02.00 for the 1 1/2-mile event.

“Today, he was very impressive,” Garcia said. “He broke well and then was squished out of there and then was last and saved all the ground. When we came turning for home, I said, ‘Let me go wide’ because I have plenty of horse, and then he did his job.”

Pumpkin Rumble edged out Final Copy and Camelot Kitten for second by a length and a neck. Johnny Bear was imposing early down the stretch but hung late and settled for fifth ahead of Danish Dynaformer, while English Illusion necked out seventh over a spent Seeking Albert to complete the order of finish.

Shahroze’s win was his second straight following a neck victory at 1 1/4 miles over the Belmont Park inner turf course for trainer Graham Motion. The 4-year-old gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor improved his career record to 8-3-3-0 with career earnings of $187,025.

Shahroze returned $13.20 to win, $5.40 to place, and $4.20 to show. Pumpkin Rumble brought back $5 to place and $3.70 to show, while Final Copy paid $4.80 to show.