In stakes action at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, on Saturday, Hicksy took the $130,000 Display Stakes, while Aubrieta won the $140,250 Glorious Song Stakes.
A bay son of Hootenanny, Hicksy, under Antonio Gallardo, tracked 6-5 choice Ironstone through a quarter in :23.08 and a half in :46.10, before turning up the pressure around the turn for home in the seven-furlong main track race for two-year-old colts and geldings.
The duo slugged it out down the stretch with Hicksy taking over late, going on to notch a three-quarter length win in a time of 1:23.38. Ironstone was second and Optigogo was third.
Trained by Kevin Attard for Lani Bloodstock LLC, the Kentucky-bred colt won his second straight race and notched his first stakes crown in what was his first added-money appearance.
“He was just kind of an unassuming little horse, just kind of a straightforward horse,” recalled owner Donato Lanni. “He just looked real kind and classy. I've been active in Kentucky, but I'm from Canada, from Montreal, and I always wanted to come back here and have some horses to run. I have a lot of friends and family in Toronto and it's just great to come back and hang out with my people.”
After a troubled fourth in his career bow on September 12 at Woodbine, Hicksy broke his maiden on October 3, in a race also contested at the Toronto oval.
“He's come a long way,” praised Attard. “We always thought highly of him. When he came to me from Kentucky, Donato said, 'This horse is really eager, he's been showing promise.' When he got here, he had a few little hiccups, just kind of baby stuff. His first race, we were expecting a little more out of him, but he kind of pulled a shoe off and I think that was a good enough excuse. Obviously, his last start, he put it together with an impressive win.”
Hicksy, bred by Richard Forbush, paid $6.60 for the Display victory.
Aubrieta, bred and owned by Conrad Farms, was back in the winner's circle, this time in the Glorious Song Stakes.
Sent on her way at 6-1 in the seven-furlong main track race for two-year-old fillies, the Mark Casse trainee was content to watch the early leaders duke it out before delivering her knockout punch.
Fulminate and Marie MacKay battled out on the front end, leading the field through opening splits of :22.83 and :45.55. Aubrieta, under patient handling from Patrick Husbands, was positioned fourth, well within striking distance of the top two.
When Husbands gave the Ontario-bred daughter of Speightster her cue, the bay responded willingly and sprinted away from her foes down the stretch, crossing the wire a two-length winner. Howdyoumakeurmoney rallied to secure second, a neck in front of Chocolate Addiction.
The final time was 1:22.85.
Aubrieta, who won her debut on September 11, was second in the Shady Well Stakes on October 8.
“You miss the break and Justin (jockey Stein, aboard Marie MacKay) got everything his way,” said Husbands, of the Shady Well. “But she showed me after the race that she was the best horse in the race. She galloped out like the winner. I called Mark after the race and said, 'Boss, she wanted to win so bad. She still thinks she won.'”
Husbands is confident Aubrieta can stretch out with ease.
“That (two turns) is what she wants to go.”
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