Simcoe powers home in the Bold Venture (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO – Simcoe stormed to the lead early and then powered away down the lane to take the $150,000 Bold Venture (G3), for 3-year-olds and up, Saturday at Woodbine.
Simcoe dueled briefly with Old Chestnut a few strides out of the gate in the 6 ½-furlong event contested on the Woodbine main track, with the latter backing off to settle into second, Junior Hot Shot in third and Ice Chocolat (BRZ) fourth.
After clocking an opening panel in :22.40, Simcoe, under Rafael Hernandez, widened his advantage to three lengths through a half in :45.01, and then played catch-me-if-you-can heading into the turn for home.
On top by four lengths in early stretch, the Katerina Vassilieva trainee was five lengths clear of his closest pursuer at Robert Geller’s stretch call, as the race was on for second.
Simcoe crossed the wire a 5 ¾-length winner. Victory Achieved rallied to finish second, 1 ¼ lengths ahead of I’m A Gambler (IRE). Playmea Tune, a stablemate of Simcoe, was fourth.
The final time was 1:15.42.
It was the first stakes victory for the dark bay son of Uncle Mo out of the Pulpit mare Aurora Lights.
“He’s a consistent horse since the end of last year, and he’s been running huge every single time,” praised Vassilieva. “I did expect a good effort today, maybe not for him to win quite so much, but I knew that it was possible for this horse.
“I just think he gets really confident when he’s on the lead. Rafi made sure he got the lead today, and it seems like when he gets it, he just doesn’t look back.”
A homebred (Ontario) for Chiefswood Stables Limited, the 5-year-old gelding, now 6-4-0 from 18 starts, was runner-up in the Jacques Cartier Stakes (G3) on May 31.
Simcoe, who has a record of 4-4-0 over his past eight engagements, paid $13.10 for the win.
