Velocitor, at 21-1, took the lead early and then led every step of the way in the $253,000 Coronation Futurity Sunday at Woodbine.
Prior to the race, Kevin Attard wasn't quite sure whether Velocitor would be able to get the distance in the 1 1/8-mile event for 2-year-olds foaled in Canada.
The son of Mor Spirit gave the trainer the answer he was hoping for.
Bred and owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling, Velocitor, leaving from post 11 in the 14-horse field, crossed over quickly and took to the rail with Justin Stein in the irons.
The dark bay held a half-length advantage over Battle Strike through an opening quarter reached in :24.88, with Stayhonor Goodside positioned in third followed by Gran Spirited.
Velocitor was a head in front of that same rival through a half in :50.56, as mutuel choice Philip My Dear, another Attard trainee, moved into third spot on the outside along the backstretch.
Running comfortably on the front end by a half-length through three-quarters, Velocitor soon had rivals on both sides attempting to reel him in, but the colt battled on gamely down the lane to hold on for a neck win over a hard-charging Twin City. Philp My Dear was third. J'adoro was fourth.
The final time over the Tapeta was 1.52.00.
“I was looking at his form previous to the race and I know that he had natural speed sprinting,” said Stein. “First time going two turns, I figured his best bet would be to try and get him to relax on the lead. He was very relaxed and travelling comfortably within himself. He looks to me like a router. He has that kind of physique.”
Assistant trainer Denton Ebanks was busy saddling five starters in the race from the Attard barn but was pleased to have a one-three finish.
“We knew he was going to run a good race,” Ebanks said. “He's just always happy.”
Now 3-1-1 from five starts, Velocitor arrived at the Coronation Futurity off a half-length triumph going six furlongs on the Tapeta on September 22.
The most recent horse to complete the Coronation Futurity/Queen's Plate double was Norcliffe, who won Coronation Futurity in 1975.
Velocitor, who was produced by the Successful Appeal mare Polar Plunge, paid $44.90 for the win.
The post ‘We Knew He Was Going To Run A Good Race’: Velocitor Digs In To Pull 21-1 Coronation Futurity Upset appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
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