Candy Overload and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Thorncliffe Stakes on May 5, 2024, at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
TORONTO, Ont. – Candy Overload gave jockey Patrick Husbands and trainer Mark Casse their second Woodbine stakes win in as many days, this time in Sunday’s $100,000 Thorncliffe Stakes.
Twenty-four hours after the Hall of Fame duo teamed with Play the Music to take Saturday’s $135,000 Whimsical Stakes Presented by Bulleit Bourbon (G3), the Husbands and Casse show was back in the winner’s circle.
A 6-year-old son of Reload-Mini Candy, Candy Overload arrived at the 5 ½-furlong main track event for 4-year-olds and up, fresh off a victory in the Big Daddy Stakes at Turfway Park on March 9.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice in the field of eight, the bay was at the top of his game again.
Jazz Hands was hustled to the lead and was 2 ½ lengths clear of Rockcrest through a lively opening quarter in :22.60. Armstrong and slight mutuel choice Flag Of Honour (AUS) followed in third and fourth, respectively. Candy Overload, known for his late turn of foot, sat fifth in the early going.
It was Jazz Hands still on top over Rockcrest through a half in :45.16. Husbands, just as he did in the Whimsical, rode the rail as the field straightened for home.
Mid-way down the lane, Candy Overload, who was in full stride, burst to the front and was then quickly engaged by Flag Of Honour.
The 2022 Kennedy Road Stakes (G2) winner dug in gamely to fend off his rival by a half-length. Ironstone rallied for third and Jazz Hands was fourth.
The final time was 1:03.54.
“Being honest, being on the inside and getting speed in a race is easier,” offered Husbands. “Speed on the outside, I don’t like it. He got the job done like a pro.”
It was the seventh win, to go with six seconds and a pair of thirds, from 23 lifetime starts for Candy Overload.
“He is all class,” praised Husbands. “He fooled me. I breezed him last week. I think he ran 1:04. He didn’t want to work, didn’t want to gallop, but race day, he came out and gave 110 per cent.”
Owned by Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable, LLC, and Wachtel Stable, Candy Overload finished sixth in his career bow on July 12, 2020. He broke his maiden next time out, lighting up the tote board at 37-1 in a 6 ½-furlong maiden optional claiming race over Woodbine’s all-weather track that November.
Bred in Ontario by Northern Dawn Stables Inc., and Denny Andrews, Candy Overload won the Forego Stakes last February at Turfway.
He paid $7 for today’s win.
