TORONTO, June 29, 2023 —Treason will look to make it two straight graded stakes scores when he takes on eight rivals in the $150,000 Dominion Day Stakes (G3), part of the Canada Day Racing Festival, Saturday at Woodbine. A 1 1/8-mile main track event for 4-year-olds and up, the Dominion Day is part of a card that showcases four other graded stakes offerings: $200,000 Highlander (G2T), $175,000 Nassau (G2T), $150,000 Marine (G3) and $150,000 Selene (G3). Treason, a 5-year-old son of Constitution-Cougarstown, arrives at his latest test off a sparkling effort in the Eclipse (G2) Stakes on June 4. Treason and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning the Eclipse Stakes on June 4, 2023 (Michael Burns Photo) Under leading rider Kazushi Kimura, the bay, owned by LNJ Foxwoods and MSK Racing Ventures, LLC, converted a head advantage into a one-length lead at the stretch call, before going on to record a 1 ½-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta race. Carroll, who sent out champion Mighty Heart to win the 2021 Dominion Day, had plenty of praise for Treason after his first stakes victory. “When people ask you about what makes you successful with horses, I say patient owners, owners that give you the opportunity to let their horses develop and do what they can do,” said Carroll, who will also send out Tyson and Duke of Love in the Dominion Day. “Treason is just a good horse. We thought he was a good horse from the beginning, and he really proved himself today.” Kimura, who has 54 total wins on the year, was equally impressed. “He is a great horse to ride, very easy on himself, and very strong. He didn’t want to let anyone get by him in the stretch.” Treason debuted in June 2021, breaking his maiden at 25-1 on the turf at Belmont in a one-mile race. After an eighth and two fifths in his next three starts, he returned nearly one year later at Woodbine in September 2022 and promptly dominated his rivals to the tune of a 16 ½-length win at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta. Treason and jockey Justin Stein winning at Woodbine on September 4, 2022 (Michael Burns Photo) Bred in Kentucky by Ramspring Farm, Treason concluded his 4-year-old season with a fourth in the Autumn Stakes (G2) in November. “Josie has done a great job with this horse,” said Kimura. “I could feel he was ready to run when he won the Eclipse. He was very professional in the paddock and throughout the whole race.” For Kimura, who came to Ontario in 2018 from his home in Hokkaido, Japan, a win with Treason would be extra special. “Hopefully, we can come up with another big effort on Saturday and get a win on Canada Day.” The Dominion Day is race nine on Saturday afternoon’s 11-race card. First post is 1:10 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app. GRADE 3 $150,000 DOMINION DAY STAKES Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – War Bomber (IRE) – Sahin Civaci – Norm McKnight 2 – Artie’s Storm – David Moran – Paul Buttigieg 3 – Gaston – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Kevin Attard 4 – Tyson – Rafael Hernandez – Josie Carroll 5 – Golden Glider – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse 6 – Treason – Kazushi Kimura – Josie Carroll 7 – Carrothers – Declan Carroll – Martin Drexler 8 – Duke of Love – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll 9 – Novo Sol (BRZ) – Edgard Zayas – Saffie Joseph, Jr. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms Share This:Share
