TORONTO, November 16, 2024 – Wicked Django, under a sharp ride from Keveh Nicholls, earned his first stakes triumph in Saturday’s Grade 2 $175,000 HPIbet Autumn at Woodbine. Sent on his way at 24-1 in the field of eight, the 4-year-old bay colt broke a step slowly while the quartet of Paramount Prince, Forever Souper, Stanley House and 2-1 choice Dresden Row all got away sharply with multiple graded stakes winner and 2023 King’s Plate victor Paramount Prince leading the way into the first turn. Paramount Prince was 1 ½ lengths clear of Forever Souper, second in the betting at 3-1, through a brisk opening quarter in :23.60 in the 1 1/8-mile main track event for 3-year-olds and up. In front by a half-length after a half in :47.18, Paramount Prince picked up the pace as Forever Souper, a perfect three-for-three on the synthetic, Stanley House and multiple graded stakes winner Dresden Row, shadowed the leader as he started the turn for home. Nicholls, meanwhile, had Wicked Django rolling five-wide late on the turn to take command in upper stretch. A half-length clear at the stretch call, the Rodney Barrow trainee kept on for a 1 ¼-length win in a time of 1:48.45. Dresden Row was second, followed by Stanley House and Forever Souper. Wicked Django and jockey Keveh Nicholls winning the HPIbet Autumn Stakes (G2) on November 16, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) It was a statement victory for Wicked Django, whose resume includes a third in both the Grade 3 Dominion Day, contested on June 29 and the Grade 2 Seagram Cup on July 27. “He broke just a tad slow, and I let him relax back there,” said Nicholls. “I know they were going pretty solid up front, Paramount Prince and the others, and I just tried to make one steady run at them.” The addition of blinkers played a big part in the winning performance. “They really did [make a difference],” said Nicholls. “I worked him in the morning [with blinkers] and he really enjoyed it.” It was the third lifetime win accompanied by a pair of seconds and four thirds from 12 starts for the son of Wicked Strong out of the Flatter mare Belcarres. “We got him about a month ago,” said Barrow. “The owner asked me to train him, and I said, ‘Okay.’ We thought the blinkers would help a lot.” Owned by Ryan Brewster and bred in Ontario by Denny Andrews and Niall Brennan, Wicked Django paid $50.40 for the breakthrough score. Artie’s Storm, Sir London, War Bomber (IRE) and Lac Macaza were scratched. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
