Filo Di Arianna takes the King Edward by a narrow margin (Michael Burns)
Bill Tallon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO – Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) remained undefeated on the E.P. Taylor turf and probably earned a berth in the September 14 Woodbine Mile with a gutsy performance in Friday’s $200,000 bet365 King Edward Stakes (G2T).
“It’s just how he comes back,” said trainer Mark Casse, asked whether the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile would be the gelding’s next appearance for owners Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Peter Deutsch.
“I kind of feel if they were going to beat him, it was going to be today. I thought maybe he was about 85, 90 per cent. He’s 8-years-old – as we get older, it’s not as simple. We’ll see – that’s our target.”
The one-mile King Edward attracted a field of seven and Filo Di Arianna was expected to dominate.
Filo Di Arianna ($3.30) did get the money but provided some anxious moments for his supporters as he hung on to prevail by a nose over a game War Bomber (IRE).
Overcoming an awkward start from his outside post under new rider Sahin Civaci, Filo Di Arianna moved up to take charge through an opening quarter in :23.75 and a half in :46.09.
War Bomber was commencing a move at this point, however, and kept pressuring the favorite through six furlongs in 1:09.27 and leading by a head at the stretch.
Filo Di Arianna was not about to give way, however, and hung tough for the fractional tally in a final time of 1:34.07 over good going.
War Bomber, winner of the 2023 King Edward, was clearly second-best.
Secret Reserve was 2 ¾ lengths back in third with Wicked Django fourth.
Cruden Bay, Like the King and Kaukokaipuu rounded out the order of finish. Ironstone was scratched.
Filo Di Arianna now is 5-for-5 over the E.P. Taylor, including victories in the 2022 King Edward, the same year’s Connaught Cup, and the recent Grade 2 Highlander.
Overall, he has won nine of 17 outings.
