Phil’s Dream, under a patient ride from Justin Stein, was full of run through the stretch to capture Sunday’s Grade 1 $340,400 Nearctic Stakes, at Woodbine.
The six furlong race, a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In event run over a ‘good’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course, drew 10 hopefuls. But the winner, owned and trained by Paul Buttigieg, dismissed at 9-1 in his graded stakes debut, proved much the best as the five-year-old gelded son of Philanthropist rallied to win in 1:10.83.
Fatal Bullet, one of three entrants trained by Reade Baker, led the field through splits of :22.80 and :46.47 with Longhunter and Bear No Joke tracking his early speed. Phil’s Dream rated comfortably behind the front-runners into the turn as Longhunter advanced to take on Fatal Bullet while Riding the River launched a wide rally from the back of the pack.
With the race up for grabs halfway down the lane, Phil’s Dream emerged from the pack and sprinted clear a two-length winner. Mr. Online rallied to be second, ¾-lengths clear of Longhunter.
Stein, who guided Phil’s Dream to a neck score in the restricted Overskate Stakes last time out, wasn’t worried about the step up in class for the Ontario-bred gelding.
“He’s a really nice horse, super talented,” said Stein. “I did have to sit and wait a little bit, but I had lots of horse to carry me to where I needed to be when it was time to ask him to run.”
Phil’s Dream is not Breeders’ Cup nominated and the gelding will not be making the trip to Santa Anita. He banked $216,000 in victory, while improving his record to 7-2-1 from 12 career starts.
He returned $20, $7.50 and $4.90, pairing with Mr. Online ($9.70, $5.30) for a $146.10 (5-8) exactor. A 5-8-4 (Longhunter, $3.80 to show) triactor was worth $750.70. Langstaff completed a $1 Superfecta (5-8-4-1) worth $5191.10. Tripski was scratched.
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
