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Munnyfor Ro Overcomes Wide Trip to Take Woodbine Oaks

Munnyfor Ro (Munnings) completed a quick-fire stakes double for her outstanding sire, overcoming a tough trip from a double digit gate to take out Sunday's C$500,000 Woodbine Oaks in Toronto.

Settled behind midfield through the opening furlongs, the $65,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase traveled four and five off the inside–though with some cover–down the backstretch and began working into it entering the final half-mile. Four deep for the run around the second turn, she sustained a long run despite the ground loss, hit the front in upper stretch and stayed on nicely to defeat Emmeline (Violence). Il Malocchio (Souper Speedy) was third. Minutes earlier, Munnings's Miss Alacrity stormed to victory in the Colleen S. at Monmouth Park.

Munnyfor Ro broke her maiden in career start number five over the Keeneland turf course while under the care of Brian Lynch ahead of a third to Gam's Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) in a first-level Churchill allowance May 8. Sixth to that foe in the GIII Regret S., Munnyfor Ro was a latest runner-up in the GIII Selene S. over this Tapeta track July 10.

“We were expecting a good performance out of her,” said winning trainer Kevin Attard. “She came up here this season in good shape from [trainer] Brian Lynch–had a great campaign over the winter time. She ran a fabulous race in the Selene. I thought she'd move off that race forwardly enough to kind of be really competitive here today. Had a good interim breeze and put it all together.”

For owner Rajendra Maharajh, it was a perfect day from start to finish.

“It's just a wonderful story and today's my mom's 80th birthday,” shared Maharajh. “Everybody is here with us, so it's a family day and a lovely day.”

Munnyfor Ro could take on the boys in the Aug. 22 Queen's Plate over a mile and a quarter, according to Attard, but would need to be supplemented to that first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

The winner's stakes-winning second dam is a full-sister to GI Ashland S. winner Little Belle, who has since gone on to produce Grade I-winning turf distaffer Dickinson (Medaglia d'Oro). Repartee is the dam of the 2-year-old filly Retort (Liam's Map) and a yearling filly by Unified.

Saturday, Woodbine
WOODBINE OAKS PRESENTED BY BUDWEISER, C$500,800, Woodbine, 8-1, (C), 3yo, f, 1 1/8m (AWT), 1:50.31, ft.
1–MUNNYFOR RO, 121, f, 3, by Munnings
                1st Dam: Repartee, by Distorted Humor
                2nd Dam: Dubai Dancer, by A.P. Indy
                3rd Dam: Dubai Belle, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. ($65,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Raroma
Stable; B-Daybar, LTD. (ON); T-Kevin Attard; J-Justin Stein.
C$300,000. Lifetime Record: GSP, 9-2-2-2, $320,985.
2–Emmeline, 121, f, 3, Violence–Babcock, by Uncle Mo.
($16,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-RCC Racing Stable Ltd. & Realm
Racing Stables; B-William D. Graham (ON); T-John Mattine.
C$100,000.
3–Il Malocchio, 121, f, 3, Souper Speedy–Egbert Bay, by Sligo
Bay (Ire). O/B-Franco S. Meli (ON); T-Martin Drexler.
C$50,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NO, 4 3/4. Odds: 3.35, 8.15, 13.00.
Also Ran: Youens, Curlin's Catch, Miss Marie, Erasmo's Girl, Lorena, Jilli Marie, Lady Moonshine.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Retired Jockey Rosa da Silva Honored With Avelino Gomez Memorial Award

Eurico Rosa da Silva, one of Canadian Thoroughbred racing's most accomplished riders and popular personalities, has been named the 2021 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.

The coveted Gomez Award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport.

It is named in memory of one of the sport's most heralded and loved performers. The Cuban-born Gomez died of complications after a three-horse accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks.

The 46-year-old da Silva, now retired, is no doubt a worthy recipient of the award.

Da Silva won a slew of several impressive awards and high-profile races over the course of an outstanding career, including a pair of Queen's Plate triumphs, and stirring upset scores in the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile and Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International.

His catchphrase, “Good Luck To Everybody,” was always accompanied by a wide smile, words, and a look that embodied an unabashed love for all things horse racing.

Da Silva now has another reason to flash that winning smile, as this year's Gomez honoree. He ranks the distinction as one of the most treasured moments associated with his life in the saddle.

“What a nice surprise. Jessica Buckley [Woodbine Entertainment SVP, Standardbred & Thoroughbred Racing] called and told me. I was so happy. I didn't expect this, but I feel very lucky. This is a great award. I am so thrilled. I feel like I know Avelino. I have heard so many stories about him. I've heard how great he was as a rider and how the fans loved him. So, to win this award that is named after one of the best riders, it is amazing.”

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, da Silva launched his career in his homeland before moving to Macau. He counts the Brazil Derby, a two-mile Group 1 turf race, among his most memorable early triumphs.

Upon his arrival at Woodbine in 2004, da Silva's stated goal was to become the racetrack's leading rider. He wasted no time in putting his plan in motion.

He recorded his first Woodbine victory on May 20, 2004, teaming with Point Hidden, a bay son of Tale of the Cat, for a half-length win over five furlongs on the main track.

From there, da Silva began his steady ascent in the jockey standings.

Da Silva first topped the standings in 2010 and won the riding title from 2015-2019. In 2018, he set the record for most wins in a single meet at Woodbine with 237 victories.

A seven-time Sovereign Award winner as Canada's Outstanding Jockey, he has victories in all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, including consecutive editions of The Queen's Plate in 2009 and 2010, with Eye of the Leopard and Big Red Mike, respectively.

In 2017, he teamed with longshot Bullards Alley to win the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile. Two years later, he engineered another upset, this time with El Tormenta in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International. He was a part of the Horse of the Year campaigns by Pink Lloyd (2017), Up With the Birds (2013), Biofuel (2010), and Fatal Bullet (2008).

Da Silva, who won his final stakes race with Pumpkin Rumble in the 2019 Valedictory Stakes, also made a name for himself on the international stage.

A lifetime winner of 2,286 races, da Silva bested his rivals to reign victorious in the 2017 World All-Star Jockeys Championship in Japan.

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Now, he can add another cherished piece of hardware to his trophy case.

“When I look back on my career, I wanted to be a good rider, but I also wanted to help in the community as well,” said da Silva, who released his autobiography, 'Riding For Freedom,' in late 2020, and now works as a Certified Mind Coach. “The fans, the community around Woodbine, all of it is important to me.

“This honor made me reflect on my career and all the great people and horses I connected with. What it makes me think about is every day that I walked into the jocks' room and how happy I was to do that. So many great riders, like Avelino, were there. I was proud to be able to walk into that room and be part of one of the toughest jockey colonies in the world. Woodbine is so competitive. When you are able to accomplish your dreams, it is very rewarding.”

To commemorate his contributions to the sport, a life-size statue of Gomez, who called Toronto home and raised a family there, keeps watch over Woodbine's walking ring. A replica is presented to each year's honoree.

Although presented annually on Woodbine Oaks day at Woodbine (August 1 this year), this year's ceremony will take place on September 19 at Woodbine. With attendance currently limited to due COVID restrictions, the September date will allow more fans to share in the festivities.

Da Silva joins Ron Turcotte, Johnny Longden, Sandy Hawley, Don MacBeth, Chris Rogers, Jeff Fell, Lloyd Duffy, Hugo Dittfach, Robin Platts, Larry Attard, Don Seymour, David Gall, Richard Grubb, Irwin Driedger, David Clark, Jim McKnight, Chris Loseth, Richard Dos Ramos, Robert Landry, Francine Villeneuve, Sam Krasner, John LeBlanc Sr., George Ho Sang, Jack Lauzon, Robert King Jr., Stewart Elliott, Emile Ramsammy, Steve Bahen, Mickey Walls, Patrick Husbands, Quincy Welch, Gary Stahlbaum, Gary Boulanger, Emma-Jayne Wilson, and Frank Barroby as Gomez honorees.

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The Queen’s Plate To Welcome Back Spectators

One of Canada's most prestigious annual sporting events is excited to welcome back spectators for the first time since June of 2019.

The $1 million Queen's Plate, the longest continuously run Thoroughbred stakes race in North America, will be raced on Sunday, August 22 in front of a crowd of fans at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. It is the first jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown and showcases Canada's top three-year-old Thoroughbreds.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back spectators as this event just really isn't the same without them,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “Last year we were proud to be able to run this historic race in very challenging circumstances due to the pandemic, but our fans were greatly missed. This year, we can't wait to host spectators and return The Queen's Plate traditions of fashion, live music, and gourmet food and drinks, all centered around the very best horse racing in the country.”

With Ontario currently in Step 3 of its “Roadmap to Reopen Plan”, horse racing facilities are permitted to have up to 50% of their typical capacity. For The Queen's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack this includes grandstand seating, general admission (access to the second and third floor of the grandstand but no assigned seat), seating in its restaurants (Post Parade and The Patio at Champions), and the Premium Trackside Experience which includes two drink tickets, gourmet BBQ, racing programs and front row/rail side access to watch the big race and a special musical performance. The total inventory is estimated at approximately 5,000 tickets. In years past, upwards of 35,000 spectators have attended The Queen's Plate with expanded hosting areas which will not be permitted this year.

More details about the event, including a special musical performance, will be announced in the coming days.

Well-established COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place to offer spectators a safe and enjoyable experience.

“As excited as we are to welcome back fans to The Queen's Plate, we take the safety of our guests, employees, and horse racing participants extremely seriously and have throughout the pandemic,” said Lawson. “Fans can expect to be and feel safe, and have a great experience.”

Tickets for The 162nd Queen's Plate go on-sale to the general public tomorrow at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Dining tickets go on-sale on Tuesday, August 3 at 10 a.m. General admission tickets are $20 and grandstand tickets start at $35.

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Each Horse Tells A Story In LongRun Graduate Virtual Race To The Plate

The LongRun Graduate Virtual Race to the Plate is going to great lengths to make a difference for nearly 40 Thoroughbreds.

As Vicki Pappas sees it, the fundraising event is a win-win for everyone, horse and human.

A total of 39 graduates of LongRun, one of the first adoption and placement programs for Thoroughbred racehorses in Ontario, are part of Race to the Plate, an initiative that invites people to sponsor a horse to a maximum of $25 per person, with each $5 donation providing one length for the horse as part of a contest that culminates with a winner being announced on Aug. 22, Queen's Plate day at Woodbine Racetrack.

“One of our TAA [Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance] partners, Maryland Horse Rescue, they did an event like this around the Preakness,” said Pappas, LongRun's Chair and one of its founding members. “We thought it was a great idea. We're not able to have a big gala like we usually do to fundraise, so this was this alternative. And it seems to be working out extremely well.”

Photos and short bios of the horses are featured on the LongRun website at longrunretirement.com/race-2021.

There are several familiar faces, including 2010 Queen's Plate champ Big Red Mike, now thriving as a dressage competitor, multiple stakes winners Melmich and Pumpkin Rumble, and 13-time winner Tom Joy, who works as a therapy horse.

The appropriately named Lead by Example is now under the care of multiple stakes winning jockey Melanie Pinto.

Closing in on 500 career wins, Pinto bonded with the dark bay son of Midnight Lute the moment they first worked together. When the New York-bred was retired, she quickly adopted him.

“I was galloping him for [Hall of fame trainer] Josie Carroll at Palm Meadows in Florida,” started Pinto. “He was such a character, always so happy and proud of himself. He would squeal and stick out his tongue when he was in his stall and he was always squealing and prancing on his way back from the track like he had just done something special.”

When his racing career came to a close, other doors opened for Lead by Example, who now works as a calming companion to other Thoroughbreds as they make their way to the racetrack at Fort Erie.

It's not his only post-racing calling.

“He's just been such a versatile horse,” said Pinto. “He'll wear English tack and go over jumps, he'll wear Western tack and trail ride, go Team Sorting and he takes care of me on the racetrack when I'm on a rambunctious racehorse. He's always very focused when he's doing a job, but still to this day, when he knows his job is over and he's done well, he prances, squeals and is very proud of himself.”

Each of the featured horses in Race to the Plate has a unique tale to be told, but all 39 are bound by one common thread, offered Pappas, a recent inductee into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

“They all have their own story. And even though the bios are abbreviated, it gives people some insight into their life on the racetrack and afterwards. I think each story shows how important it is to take care of these beautiful animals and to show people how they've gone on to touch so many other people's lives.”

Support for the initiative has come from far and wide, literally.

Former connections – grooms, jockey, trainers, owners and breeders – have sponsored horses and also helped spread the word about event through their social media pages.

The race finishes at noon (ET) on Thursday, Aug. 19, the day that entries are drawn for this year's running of the Queen's Plate. The Race to the Plate equine winner (to be announced on either Aug. 20 or 21), who will be featured on the cover of LongRun's Graduate calendar, also receives a custom cooler and LongRun swag. Prizes will be awarded to the top five finishers.

There are also random draws for both sponsors and entrants. Prizes for entrants include a jar of the supplement TriActa (donated by Integricare Canada), a set of four polo bandages, and matching halter “fuzzies,” with another draw offering a VIP table for six on Oct. 2 at Caledon, donated by Angelstone.

Sponsor-themed draws include a “trifecta” of ice wine, and another draw for two tickets to the 2022 running of the Queen's Plate.

With less than a month before the 162nd running of the Queen's Plate, Pappas is looking forward to seeing how the stretch drive of Race to the Plate plays out.

“It's something we'd definitely want to do in the future,” said Pappas, who is working on securing special prizes for the overall winner and top five finishers. “It's wonderful to see how the horses are doing and the new connections they've created. It's really nice to see the enthusiasm and support from the people that knew the horses from the racetrack and the people who have given them a new life after racing.”

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