TORONTO, September 17, 2022 – The Woodbine weekend stakes parade concludes with Sunday’s running of the Grade 3 $150,000 Singspiel Stakes. One day after four graded stakes, including the Grade 1 $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile, the E.P. Taylor Turf Course will play host to the 1 3/8-mile Singspiel, a race that will bring Graham Motion trainee King Vega (GB) to Canada for the first time in his career. Owned by HPG Thoroughbreds, LLC, the 4-year-old son of Lope De Vega (IRE)-Moi Meme (GB) has fared well since coming to North America, going 2-1-1 from five starts. He made the first eight starts of his career in England, where he went 1-3-0 from eight races, highlighted by a maiden-breaking effort last September at Goodwood. King Vega winning the Buckland Stakes on August 16th 2020 at Colonial Downs (Coady Photography) Sent off as the 1-9 choice in the 1 ¼-mile turf test, King Vega (GB) lorded over his rivals, crossing the wire a 7 ½-length victor in a time of 2:05.81. “It’s going a little further than what we’ve been doing with him, but obviously he’s put together some really nice races,” said Motion, of the gelding who was bred by Fortescue Bloodstock. The chestnut arrives at the Singspiel off a smart score at Colonial Downs on August 16. Sent off at 7-2, King Vega (GB) led throughout the 1 1/8-mile Buckland Stakes and posted 1 ½-length win in 1:48.68 over firm going. “I don’t know why it [E.P. Taylor turf] wouldn’t suit him,” said Motion, who won the 2018 Singspiel with Shahroze (IRE). “He’s kind of a galloping horse. He took to Colonial very well and had an excellent race, so I would expect him to take to this one too.” Motion, who has several horses competing in stakes races this weekend at Woodbine, continues to be impressed with King Vega (GB). “He’s a pretty cool horse, really. He’s pretty consistent, he’s very talented, he’s pretty honest and straightforward.” Trainer Roger Attfield, who won five consecutive editions of the turf race, and eight overall runnings, will look to add to his total with Ready for the Lady, a 3-year-old Charles Fipke homebred. The Singspiel is named after the Irish-bred son of In the Wings (GB), whose nine victories in 20 lifetime starts included the 1996 Canadian International Stakes. First race post time on Sunday is set for 1:10 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action via HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app. GRADE 3 $150,000 SINGSPIEL STAKES Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – Enchant Me – Slade Jones – Santino Di Paola 2 – British Royalty – Patrick Husbands – Barbara Minshall 3 – Ready for the Lady – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Roger Attfield 4 – Elusive Knight – Gary Boulanger – Michael Doyle 5 – Collective Force – Antonio Gallardo – Rachel Halden 6 – King Vega (GB) – Rafael Hernandez – Graham Motion Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms Share This:Share
