The two-year-old son of red-hot freshman Ontario sire Tomahawk desperately staved off a late rush from Clarendon runner-up El Brujo for the neck score. Silver Rocket, who led at the top of the stretch, finished third.
Win and Reign, who is owned by Garland Williamson's Hillsbrook Farms, traveled six furlongs in 1:10.88.
The Nicholas Gonzalez trainee gave up the lead late on the second turn, fought back on the outside in upper stretch and stayed on bravely to maintain his advantage.
Assistant trainer Martha Gonzalez said Win and Reign is a pleasure to have in the barn.
"He's gorgeous to be around. He loves his job," she said, adding that the Vandal was a target for the colt. "That was one reason why we ran him in an open maiden race to begin. We were heading for this stakes (race)."
A half-brother to Cool Gator, homebred Win and Reign increased his purse earnings to $93,960.
The Vandal was the seventh Woodbine stakes score of the season for Gonzalez, who recorded seven added-money tallies in all of 2007.
Win and Reign returned $22.20, $7.60, $5.70, combining with El Brujo ($4.50, $4.60) for an exactor worth $107.50. Silver Rocket returned $5.10 to show. Triactor wagering was not available.
Ice Bear outfinishes Marchfield in With Approval thriller
TORONTO, August 10 - Ice Bear clawed his way back in front in the final yards to take Sunday's $100,000 Chief Bearhart Stakes at Woodbine.
The victory was the second added-money score in as many days for the jockey-trainer-owner combination of Chantal Sutherland, Mac Benson and George Strawbridge's Augustin Stable. The trio also won the Duchess with Sugar Bay.
Like the Duchess, the With Approval also featured a stirring stretch duel, in which Ice Bear fought back and passed Marchfield for his second career stakes score. Awesome Action finished third.
Benson said he had no concerns when the 1 1/8-mile With Approval was relocated from the E.P. Taylor Turf Course to Polytrack.
"He's trained and run good on the Poly. I just thought he was more comfortable on the turf," said Benson. "Let's hope he keeps improving the way he's improved this year."
Sutherland, who advanced to the lead late on the backstretch, said she hadn't planned to engage front-running Mike Fox (half in :49.94) so soon.
"Mac had said in the paddock, 'I'd like to see you lay off (the pace) a bit.' He seemed really comfortable and then (Marchfield) touched him on the back a little, going into the (first) turn. He came right on the bridle and that's what brought us up to (Mike Fox). I let him cruise up there and went from there."
Sutherland said Ice Bear responded well to Marchfield's stretch pressure.
"He seemed like, in the morning and from his program, he's an old warhorse. I knew that Mac would have him fit. He was really strong and tough. It was great," said Sutherland.
Ice Bear, who also won the 2007 Charlie Barley, boosted his record to five wins from 16 starts and elevated his earnings to $363,138.
Ice Bear returned $6.10, $3.40 and $2.90, combining with Marchfield ($3.50, $2.70) for a $31.30 exactor. Awesome Action ($4.20) rounded out a triactor worth $126.90.