Notorious Gangster (outside) fights a three-way battle. (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
TORONTO, Ont. – Notorious Gangster, under a perfect ride from Fraser Aebly, pounced on the frontrunners in the late going en route to victory in Saturday’s $250,000 Coronation Futurity at Woodbine.
The 1 1/8-mile event for 2-year-olds foaled in Canada is a significant race on the road to the 166th running of The King’s Plate, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
Notorious Gangster, trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer and three-time Plate winner Josie Carroll, will be one to keep tabs on ahead of next year’s $1 million classic.
Sent on his way at 10-1 in the field of 10 (Watsonville Red was scratched), Notorious Gangster watched the early action unfold from an ideal stalking position between horses in the second flight, as Forty N Five, supplemented to the race, emerged on the front end, followed by the trio of Ashley’s Archer, Conacher, also supplemented, and Kekoa.
Forty N Five was a half-length clear after a quarter in :24.59, while Aebly remained content to keep his charge within striking distance along the rail in fifth.
It was Forty N Five still calling the shots through a half in :49.32, but the pace noticeably quickened soon after. As the turn for home loomed, 9-5 choice, stakes winner Dewolf, and Ashley’s Archer, at 2-1, arrived on the scene with Notorious Gangster, to their inside, looking to reel in his rivals.
Aebly gave Notorious Gangster his cue mid-way down the lane and swung the colt to the outside to take aim at the lead duo with about 250 yards to the wire.
Notorious Gangster drove to the lead inside the final sixteenth on his way to a two-length score. Dewolf finished a neck in front of Ashley’s Archer. Faber was fourth.
The final time was 1:52.70.
“I wasn’t sure we were going to hit the outside coming to the top of the lane, and the inside was opening up, and he wasn’t quite ready for it, he liked the outside,” said Aebly, who has set several career-best marks in 2024, including five stakes victories. “And, you know, we got a nice trip out, and when I let him run, he was all racehorse.”
It was the second lifetime win for Notorious Gangster, who was making his second consecutive stakes appearance. He was seventh last time out in the Cup & Saucer on Oct. 6. He debuted on Aug. 4 at Woodbine and finished third at six panels over the main track.
The maiden victory came on Aug. 25 at the Toronto oval, a head win at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.
“He’s improved a ton,” said Aebly, who has been aboard for all four starts. “Every time I get on this horse, he’s getting better and better and better.”
Bred and owned by Mark Dodson, Notorious Gangster is a son of Classic Empire out of the Verrazano mare Sister Nova (1-4-2 from 10 starts).
Notorious Gangster paid $22.30 for the win.
