Twin City, who has come out on the losing end of a photo finish in multiple races, flipped the script in the $116,000 King Corrie Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine.
After settling for second in four races last year, three of them by the slimmest of margins, the son of Klimt out of Minnie Apple Is, by Harlan's Holiday, came out on top in the seven-furlong Tapeta race for 3-year-olds, nosing out 3-5 choice Wico in yet another tight finish for the bay gelding.
Keen Flatter broke sharply as did Twin City and the pair went on to lead their six rivals through an opening quarter in :23.88. It was status quo on the front end through a half reached in :47.28.
Making the turn for home, the lead duo was confronted by Wico, who arrived on the scene full of run. Twin City, in between his rivals, was urged on by jockey Gary Boulanger as the pace noticeably quickened.
Midway down the lane, a game Keen Flatter grudgingly gave way and it set the stage for a showdown between Wico, in front by a head at the stretch call, and Twin City, with neither giving an inch as the wire approached.
It was a head bob at the finish, with the hard-luck Twin City finally netting his first stakes win for trainer Stuart Simon and fellow co-owners Brent, Russell and Roy McLellan. The final time was 1:23.02.
Boulanger and Simon were ecstatic to see their sophomore come out on top.
“He's a pretty good colt,” said Boulanger. “He broke really hard and Stu says, 'Ride him like you know him.' Him being so close [to the pace] didn't concern me because he's so manageable and ratable. I was confident from the five-eighths pole. Stu did a tremendous job. He's always been a special colt and last year as a 2-year-old, he had a couple of unlucky races where he probably should have won with some racing luck. First thing I said to Stu was, 'We finally got the photo our way.'”
“He's had tough luck with photos and close races,” echoed Simon. “You want to see his number up before you head over.”
Simon is hopeful his talented sophomore can continue his path to the King's Plate, slated for August 20 at Woodbine.
“He'll have no problem getting two turns and further. We'll see where this takes us now. We've etched out a game plan and we'll see where we go after this one. It will definitely be two turns.”
It was the second win, to go along with four seconds from six starts for the sizable bay bred in Ontario by Frank Di Giulio, Jr. Twin City's first victory came in a maiden special weight event at 1 1/16 miles over the Woodbine Tapeta on October 13.
Twin City, who was bred in Ontario by Frank DiGiulio Jr., paid $23.10 for Sunday's win.
Wico, Keen Flatter, Stayhonor Goodside, One for Chap, Classic Dancer, Velocitor, and Dream Jereem rounded out the order of finish.
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