Monday, September 29, 2008

Sand Cove sets track record in Ontario Derby

TORONTO, September 28 - Ralph Johnson's Sand Cove, ridden by Richard Dos Ramos, set a track record in winning Sunday's featured $162,800 Ontario Derby at Woodbine, his second consecutive stakes score.

At the finish of the mile and one-eighth test over the Polytrack, Sand Cove prevailed in a stretch battle with Secret Getaway to win by a neck in 1:49.38, knocking 0.17 seconds off the former mark of 1:49.55 set by Leonnatus Anteas last October.

Secret Getaway and jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson actually poked a head in front at the sixteenth pole, but Sand Cove dug in and came back to tally.


In his last start, on August 31, Sand Cove, trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, tried the turf for the first time and scored a half-length win in the Vice Regent Stakes.

Sand Cove battled for the early lead with Catch Air before tucking in behind the pacesetter until the far turn, when he unleashed his move, as Sligovitz geared up on the outside.

Down the lane, Sand Cove was joined by Secret Getaway on the inside, as the pair dueled to the wire, while Sligovitz retreated to third, almost five lengths in arrears.

"It was a bit of a cat and mouse game, because I didn't really want to be on the lead," said Dos Ramos. "He just dug in and through the lane he just ran his eyeballs out. Roger told me this horse would run a big race today. And whatever he says, I say, 'Okay.'"

"The race wasn't unfolding the way I wanted it to or the way Richard had wanted it to early on, but it all worked out," said Attfield. "When the horse (Sand Cove) got his head passed at the 70-yard pole, he just said no, didn't he? He's just a very nice, genuine horse. He's a very versatile horse and I'm very lucky to train him."

Attfield indicated Sand Cove may go next in the turf Bunty Lawless Stakes, October 12. "We'll see how he comes out of this race, talk it over and see where we go from here."

Sand Cove, who picked up $99,000 for the win, his fifth in 15 career outings, as he pushed his bankroll to $344,949, paid $13.20, $5.40 and $2.70, teaming with Secret Getaway ($5.10, $2.60) for a $48 (7-1) exactor. A 7-1-3 (Sligovitz, $2.10 to show) triactor was worth $96.30 while a $1 Superfecta [7-1-3-5 (Delaforce)] was worth $180.50.

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