TORONTO, June 28, 2025 – Funtastic Again, under Victor Espinoza, went straight to the front and never looked back in Saturday’s $150,000 Dominion Day Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. Sent off as the 7-2 second choice in the event for 4-year-olds and up, the multiple graded stakes placed 5-year-old, making his first start at Woodbine, earned his first graded stakes crown in the 1 1/8-mile main track tilt. Funtastic Again, trained by Wesley Ward, glided to the lead with ease and reached the opening quarter in :24.05, followed by mutuel choice Essex Serpent and Bail Us Out. It was status quo among the lead trio after a half in :48.53, as Essex Serpent kept close tabs on the pacesetter and prepared to engage into the turn for home. Funtastic Again, looking like he had plenty left in reserve, kicked away from that pursuer and held a 2 ½-length advantage at the stretch call. Stanley House picked up the chase and closed with vigor, but couldn’t collar Funtastic Again, who emerged three-quarters of a length on top. Bail Us Out was third, a neck clear of Essex Serpent. The final time was 1:49.28. Funtastic Again and Victor Espinoza winning the Grade 3 Dominion Day. (Michael Burns Photo) Ward’s pre-race instructions were simple. “Just win the race,” said Espinoza, who was aboard the chestnut horse for the first time. “Basically, he said he [Funtastic Again] prefers to go to the front, but he can rate a little bit in behind, too. He ran an amazing race. I was just cruising with him. I was just attached to his back and that’s all I had to do. “He’s a very kind horse. He was full of energy.” With the victory, the son of Funtastic out of the Broken Vow mare Repeta is now 5-2-2 from 13 starts. After a seventh to launch his career at Belmont on July 1, 2022, he broke his maiden over one mile on the main track at Saratoga one month later, on August 27. Bred in Kentucky by BHMFR, LLC, Funtastic Again, owned by Three Chimneys Farm, was a $60,000 purchase at the 2020 Keeneland Association November Breeding Stock Sale. Last year’s runner up in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) returned $9.60 for the Dominion Day win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
