Blessed Two rallies from last to first in Simcoe

TORONTO, August 29, 2018 – Derek A. Chin’s Blessed Two circled a field of 10 two-year-old colts and geldings to win the $175,000 OLG Simcoe Stakes presented by Samuel, Son & Co. Limited., on Wednesday night at Woodbine.

With Gary Boulanger aboard for trainer Kevin Attard, Blessed Two was a distant last early on but got up in time to collar late leader The Newfie Express at the wire in 1:19.99 for 6-1/2 furlongs.

The Newfie Express pressured pacesetter White Wedding through opening panels of :23.58 and :47.47 and took over command in the stretch before Blessed Two kicked into action and rallied widest of all off the turn to score the impressive maiden-breaking victory.

“We were kind of worried. What happened to the horse?” said Chin of watching the Souper Speedy colt gap the field down the backside.

“But I’m in the clouds right now,” he said from the winner’s circle. “Fantastic.”

Bred by Jennifer S. Leuty, Blessed Two is the first foal out of the stakes-placed Bold Executive mare Birsay. He was purchased for $65,000 from last year’s Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Yearling Sale.

After finishing third in his career debut on July 29 at Woodbine, Blessed Two was sent postward as the fourth wagering choice in the Simcoe field at odds of 7-1 and paid $17.10, $6.60 and $5.50. He combined with The Newfie Express ($9.70, $7.20) for a 9-10 exacta worth $170.70.

Seguimi ($9.60) tracked the pacesetter and held on for third to complete the 9-10-1 trifecta, which returned $1,234.40 for a $1 ticket. With 6-5 favourite Souper Hot finishing a close fourth, the $1 superfecta of 9-10-1-6 was worth 8,858.40 for a $1 ticket.

Krpan, News Flash, White Wedding, Bitethebulletbro, Moon Magic and In Gus We Trust completed the order of finish. Stolen Identity was scratched.