Tyson victorious in the Dominion Day under Rafael Hernandez (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll delivered a one-two punch with winner Tyson and runner-up Treason in the $150,000 Dominion Day Stakes (G3), on Canada Day Saturday at Woodbine.
Last time out, Tyson finished third to stablemate Treason in the Eclipse Stakes (G2). On this day, the tables were turned in the 1 1/8-mile main track feature for 4-year-olds and up.
Graded stakes winner War Bomber (IRE) left from the inside gate, but drifted over to the middle of the Tapeta, with Carrothers and Artie’s Storm sitting second and third, respectively, through an opening quarter in :23.73, as Tyson sat sixth of nine.
Carrothers was a head in front of War Bomber (IRE), with Duke of Love third after a half in :47.63, while Rafael Hernandez kept a patient hand aboard Tyson, who was seventh.
As the field came off the turn for home, Treason shook loose and stormed to the front, but Tyson was also rolling to the far outside, and the pair locked horns down the lane with Tyson eventually getting by a determined Treason to earn a 1 ½-length triumph in a time of 1:48.32, just a shade off the track-record mark of 1:48.24 set by Global Access in 2019.
Gaston was third, followed by War Bomber (IRE), Artie’s Storm, Golden Glider, Duke of Love, Novo Sol (BRZ) and Carrothers.
Carroll, who won the 2021 edition of the Dominion Day with two-time Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart, gave full marks to Tyson.
“Tough trip for a great big horse,” said Carroll. “He’s got a great big, long stride of a horse. He’s in tight, he’s in trouble, he’s getting shuffled around, he just keeps sitting and sitting until he can get him out of there. Everything that could go wrong with him went wrong.”
Bred and owned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc., and Stretch Run Ventures, LLC, the lightly-raced 4-year-old son of Tapit-Honouring is now 3-0-1 from four career starts.
The Kentucky-bred colt won his first two starts, including his career bow on March 4, 2022, over 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream main track.
“When he got out [today], he just fired,” praised Carroll. “He was closing strongly in his last stakes, and I really expected a big race from him today. He’s been waiting for the chance to use that big stride and he just takes off.”
Tyson returned $10.30 for the Dominion Day win.
