TORONTO, July 14 – Circle of Friends made it four wins in succession with a rallying effort in Friday’s $100,000 Ontario Jockey Club Stakes, at Woodbine. Trained by Robert Tiller for 3 Sons Racing Stable, Circle of Friends arrived at the six furlong Tapeta sprint for sophomores in the midst of a perfect 2017 campaign that included a maiden win and a pair of allowance victories. The upwardly mobile dark bay son of Midnight Lute-She Ain’t Much, bred in Ontario by Ericka Rusnak, proved successful in his first stakes effort with a 1 3/4-length score over Uncle B. With Eurico Rosa da Silva up, Circle of Friends settled into fifth position in the early running as Marten River sped through a half-mile in :45.16. A game and determined Marten River led the field deep down the lane but could not hold off a driving Circle of Friends who circled four-wide for the score. Uncle B gained place by a half-length over Marten River. Circle of Friends covered six furlongs in 1:09.68. Circle of Friends, the 3-2 mutuel favourite, paid $5, $3 and $2.60, combining with Uncle B ($4, $3.10) for a $20.30 (4-6) exacta. A 4-6-7 trifecta (Marten River, $7.50 to show) was worth $244.60, while a $1 Superfecta [4-6-7-2 (Lokinforpursemonee)] came back $438.30. Share This:Share
