Swift Delivery and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Seagram Cup at Woodbine (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications/Edited
TORONTO – Swift Delivery, named after music megastar Taylor Swift and co-owned by her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, reached the top of the charts in the $150,000 Seagram Cup (G3), Saturday at Woodbine.
Sent off as the 9-2 third choice, Swift Delivery, with Patrick Husbands in the irons, was settled near the back of the seven-horse pack in the 1 1/16-mile main track event for 3-year-olds and up, as multiple graded stakes winner and 2023 King’s Plate victor Paramount Prince led the way through an opening quarter in :24.80.
Paramount Prince was a half-length clear after a half in :49.53, as Husbands and Swift Delivery, still unhurried, remained in sixth place.
Heading into the turn for home, Swift Delivery, racing three wide, quickly glided into contention. Seconds after straightening for home, the Mark Casse trainee took command.
Ahead by a half-length at the stretch call, the 4-year-old roan gelding powered home to a two-length victory. Dresden Row, the 4-5 choice, rallied to finish second. Paramount Prince, also a Casse trainee, was third, and Classic Town was fourth.
The final time was 1:43.65.
“I believe in this horse,” said Husbands. “Mark knows that and David (assistant trainer, Adams) knows that. I love this horse so bad. In 36 years, I was riding (2003 Canadian Triple Crown champion) Wando – a lot of good horses. But this one touched me. If you believe in something, it is only a matter of time before it comes true.”
The son of Not This Time out of the Rockport Harbor mare Raegen Harper is now 4-1-3 from 14 career starts.
“He is special to me,” said Husbands, of the horse who is also co-owned by Gary Barber, Team Valor International, LLC, Bruce Zoldan, and Steven Rocco. “This horse can go on the lead, this horse can do anything. This horse is all class.”
It was the second straight score for Swift Delivery, who arrived at the Seagram Cup off a two-length triumph, also at 1 1/16 miles, on June 22. It was also the 200th Graded stakes win for a partnership formed by Team Valor International’s CEO Barry Irwin since beginning of racing in the fractional interest format back in 1987.
Bred in Kentucky by Hunt-Steeple Hill, Swift Delivery paid $11.90 for the Seagram Cup win.
