TORONTO, Ont. – Philip My Dear came from out of the clouds to land in the winner’s circle in Sunday’s running of the $251,600 Cup & Saucer Stakes at Woodbine.
Contested over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, the 1 1/16-mile feature showcasing Canadian-bred two-year-olds drew 12 hopefuls (Mo Tourist was scratched), including 9-5 choice Philip My Dear, who broke from the outside post.
It was an early scramble for the lead, as multiple horses, including Philip My Dear, flashed early speed. Sooner Lunar and British Artillery eventually emerged as the pacesetters. Kazushi Kimura, aboard the bettor’s choice, decided to pull his horse back and settle into eleventh spot through an opening quarter reached in :23.32.
Sooner Lunar, at 44-1, was a head in front of British Artillery through a half timed in :46.25, while Kimura was content on maintaining a patient hand with Philip My Dear, the duo sitting ninth as the field made its way into the turn for home.
A host of hopefuls began to make inroads on the leaders, including the trio of Philip My Dear, Stayhonor Goodside, supplemented to the race, and Battle Strike, all looking like serious contenders for top prize midway down the lane.
At the wire, it was Philip My Dear, furthest to the outside, crossing the wire three-quarters of a length ahead of Stayhonor Goodside, who was another three-quarters ahead of Battle Strike. Sooner Lunar stayed on for fourth.
The final time, over firm ground, was 1:41.61.
“He’s definitely talented,” praised Kimura, of the rookie colt who has endured traffic troubles multiple times in his early career. “Today, we got the 13-hole, which was a little bit wide. I just set up behind and trusted my horse, and I knew for sure he was going to kick it. I was confident when I was sitting in behind because he was so comfortable.”
“After the first two races, we told Kimura today to just break and pull him back, and make one run,” said owner Rajendra Maharajh (Raroma Stable Inc.) “It seems like he loves to go through traffic, so you got a lot of traffic today. But he ran a great race today, and I’m really proud of him and Kimura.”
It was the third win, to go along with a third, in four starts for the son of Silent Name (JPN)-Involuntary, bred by Adena Springs.
Trained by Kevin Attard, Philip My Dear won his first two engagements, including the turf Soaring Free on August 20. Philip My Dear arrived at the Cup & Saucer off a third in the Grade 1 turf Pattison Summer Stakes on September 17.
“The idea was to get him back and save ground,” noted Attard. “He broke so sharp and when I saw him suck back that much, I said, ‘Whoa.’ It was a little more than I was anticipating, but he’s just got such a great, explosive turn of foot. He seems to thrive in traffic. He’s just been a nice colt and a nice horse to have in the barn. Obviously, he seems to be the leader in his division right now, which is something we try to achieve every year.”
The dark bay could make his first start on the Tapeta in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity on November 6 at Woodbine.
“I don’t see why not,” said Attard, of his rookie being able to handle the surface. “He’s training really well on it. Obviously, he has to be in good order and come out of this race in good shape. Raj and I will discuss that. He’s breezed exclusively on synthetic and we kind of thought highly of him just breezing off the synthetic before we ever ran him on the turf.”
Philip My Dear paid $5.60, $3.30 and $2.50, combining with Stayhonor Goodside ($4.80, $3.40) for a $22.90 exactor. The triactor with Battle Strike ($4.70) returned $135.60. A $1 superfecta with Sooner Lunar came back $1,052.05.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications
Philip My Dear and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning the Cup & Saucer Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
