Mansetti wins the Marine Stakes at Woodbine

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Kevin Attard has another King’s Plate win in his sights.

The two-time Plate-winning trainer has two solid contenders pointed to the August 16 classic, including Mansetti, who had a solid trip in winning the $175,000 Marine Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

“He’s earned his way into the race now off this win,” Attard said.

Ridden by Pietro Moran, Mansetti sat a comfortable second in the early part of the race behind pacesetter War Signal. Moran pushed the three-year-old colt to the lead just before the top of the stretch and held off Scorching by a length at odds of 5-1.

“When we heard the outside horses around the turn, he really picked it up,” Moran, Woodbine’s leading rider said. “He showed me he’s going to grind the rest of the way and down the lane it was just a matter of getting him home. He’s all heart.”

Distance had been a question mark for Mansetti.

“This spring, he’s trained differently,” Attard said. “He’s really mentally matured a lot.”

“He’s always showed a lot of talent, it’s just been a matter of one good race, one bad race.”

Mansetti may join well-regarded stablemate Dewolf in the plate. John Charalambous-trained Scorching may also be in the field after a good outing in his first start since October.

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The Marine was one of five stakes on the card. Patches O’Houlihan scored his second turf stakes win in the $234,000 Highlander Stakes. And just like last year in the Nearctic Stakes, the reigning Canadian horse of the year nearly drifted to the outside rail but still managed to hold off My Boy Prince by a neck.

Jockey Sofia Vives tried to keep him as straight as possible but the five-year-old continued to drift his way to his 13th win in 16 career starts. Unfortunately, Patches O’Houlihan suffered a soft-tissue leg injury and was pulled up after the race. He was able to walk onto the horse van and was reported to be resting well once he returned to his stall.

Vives returned to win the $180,000 Nassau Stakes aboard 12-1 long shot Ocean Club. They took control of the race with over a half-mile remaining and had more than enough in the stretch to hold off Ready For Shirl for a one-length score.

Tom Proctor trains the five-year-old mare who now has six wins in 20 career starts. 2024 King’s Plate winner Caitlinhergrtness was well back.

In the $158,000 Dominion Day Stakes, Funtastic Again took the lead at the break and went gate-to-tire. Victor Espinoza, making a rare venture to Woodbine, rode the five-year-old Wesley Ward trainee to the win. The Kentucky-based horse now has five wins in 13 career starts.

The $150,000 Selene Stakes was also won in gate-to-wire fashion. Serendipity took command within the first few strides in the 1 1/16-mile race and never saw a rival the rest of the way. Rafael Hernandez rode the three-year-old daughter of Street Sense, who was making her first start for trainer Josie Carroll and first start on a synthetic surface.

Also on Saturday, Paul Souter, who enjoyed a 25-year riding career and is still active in the local racing community, was honoured as this year’s recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. Souter’s career was highlighted by a win in the 1982 Queen’s Plate aboard Son of Briartic.