Babbo took the early lead and was never challenged en route to winning the $250,000 Coronation Futurity on Saturday at Woodbine.
The 1 1/8-mile event for 2-year-olds foaled in Canada is a significant race on the road to the 165th running of The King's Plate on Aug.17, 2024, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.
Babbo, trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer Sid Attard for owner Lou Tucci, will certainly be one to keep an eye on going forward.
Off at 5-1 in the field of 10, Babbo bumped with a rival at the start but crossed over quickly from post eight and struck front with Eswan Flores at the controls.
The bay held a one-length advantage over favorite Piper's Factor through an opening quarter in :24.63, with Vitality positioned third, followed by No More Options.
Babbo extended his lead to three lengths over that same rival through a half in :48.77 and was still running along comfortably through three-quarters reached in 1:13.78.
The son of Kantharos out of Calling Rhy Rhy, by City Zip, appeared to have plenty in the tank coming off the turn for home and proceeded to dash away from his pursuers in early stretch. Ahead by two at Robert Geller's stretch call, Babbo crossed the wire 2½ lengths clear of Piper's Factor.
No More Options, who won the Frost King Stakes last time out, was third, followed by Naptown.
The final time was 1:52.06 on the Tapeta main track.
“I was worried, he has shown a lot of speed in the past,” said Flores. “I didn't want to go too quick, but he was able to relax and was very professional throughout the whole race.”
It was the third straight win for Babbo, who was making his first stakes appearance in his sixth start. With the victory, the colt is now 3-2-0. He debuted this June at Woodbine and finished fourth in a five-furlong sprint over the Tapeta.
“He ran the seven-eighths easy,” said Tucci, of Babbo's four-length win on Nov. 4. “He reminded me of Midnight Aria (Tucci's 2013 Queen's Plate winner), he liked to take the lead and not give it up.”
Attard, in search of his first King's Plate triumph, won the 2007 Coronation Futurity with Kesagami and the 2011 edition with Maritimer.
Bred in Ontario by the Robert Harvey, who passed away in 2021, Babbo was a $95,000 purchase by Hidden Brook, agent, at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, where Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency consigned him.
“We do miss Bob Harvey and if he's up there, I'm sure he put a nice bet on him today,” said Tucci.
Babbo paid $12.20 for the win.
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