Silent Sting Steals $125,000 Queenston

TORONTO, ON – Stronach Stables’ Silent Sting made a well-timed move in the stretch to snatch victory in the final jumps from the favored Blueblood to win Sunday’s $125,000 Queenston Stakes at Woodbine.

Breaking from post 3 under Luis Contreras, Silent Sting stalked closely along the rail while Blueblood and Sable Island dueled on the front-end through splits of :23.65 and :46.51. Making a move in the far turn, Silent Sting hit the top of the stretch and launched a determined drive to catch the leaders. Continuing to move late, Silent Sting was able to get a neck past Blueblood at the wire in a final time of 1:23.22 for the 7-furlong event over the all-weather surface.

“He’s a lovely horse to ride,” Contreras said. “I had a perfect trip. I was just waiting to make my move and once I asked him to go, he gave me everything. I wondered how sharp he was going to be early, but he relaxed nice. I had a great trip all the way and he’s a really nice horse to ride.”

Sable Island faded to finish third, a 1/2-length ahead of Ellas My Love, with Aheadbyacentury and Eskiminzin completing the order of finish.

Silent Sting’s win was a continuation of his stellar juvenile season, during which he went 4-2-2-0 (all at Woodbine) for trainer Sid Attard. The 3-year-old son of Silent Name has now earned $165,496.

“He’s a classy horse,” said Attard. “He loves what he’s doing. He loves to go out there and train and enjoy himself. Nothing bothers him. Yesterday, I took him to the gate. I like to do that because he hasn’t seen the gate since last year, and he just walked in and walked out like it was nothing for him. He’s a nice colt.”

Silent Sting returned $8.10 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.50 to show. Blueblood brought back $2.60 to place and $2.30 to show, while Sable Island paid $2.90 to show.