Patches O’Houlihan on top again in the Bold Venture (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO – Patches O’Houlihan, a son of Reload-Maythefourthbwithu, went coast-to-coast for the second straight time in the $150,000 Bold Venture Stakes (G3), on King’s Plate Friday at Woodbine.
One year after showing a blend of speed and resiliency in the 6 ½-furlong main track event for 3-year-olds and up, Patches O’Houlihan, in rein to Sofia Vives, produced a strikingly similar performance on a sunny afternoon at the Toronto oval.
The bay gelding, in typical fashion, got away smartly and went to straight the front, en route to a one-length lead over First Empire through an opening split in :22.38.
Patches O’Houlihan was still on top after a half in :44.55, but was under pressure into the turn from home, as First Empire and Playmea Tune took aim at the frontrunner. Ahead by 2 ½ lengths at the stretch call, the 4-year-old kept Playmea Tune and I’m A Gambler (IRE) at bay, to earn a neck triumph over the former.
The final time for 6 ½ furlongs was 1:14.90, not far off the record of 1:14.44, set by Noholdingback Bear on July 1, 2016.
“Sometimes, I think he’s like a person,” said Vives. “He’s very wise. He knows where the wire is, and he knows how to win. He has a lot of heart. Patches definitely showed today that he’s a champion and he deserved this race two years in a row.”
It was yet another impressive performance by the bay gelding, trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Bob Tiller.
“He’s a very good horse, and he’s proved it again today,” praised Tiller. “And we’re blessed and very happy to win it. So, I’m thrilled. I’m absolutely thrilled. You know, we’ll carry on from here. He’s been training really super.”
Bred and owned by Frank Di Giulio, Jr., Patches O’Houlihan launched his career in September 2002 and rhymed off a 4 ½-length win at 5 ½ furlongs over the all-weather track.
He arrived at the Bold Venture off a strong six-length score in the Pink Lloyd Stakes on July 28.
Sporting a record of 9-0-0 from 11 starts, all at Woodbine, Patches O’Houlihan, who went off as the 6-5 choice, paid $4.60 for Friday’s win. Capture the Lion was scratched.
