TORONTO, June 28, 2025 – Mansetti rebounded from a tough outing with a stellar showing in Saturday’s $150,000 HPIbet Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. After a troubled fifth-place finish in his previous start, the Queenston Stakes, on June 8, Mansetti got back on the winning track and in doing so, stamped himself as a top contender for the 166th running of The King’s Plate, on August 16 at Woodbine. War Signal flexed early speed to seize control steps out of the gate into the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, the filly holding a half-length lead through an opening quarter in :24.05, as Mansetti, under Pietro Moran, was part of the second flight along with Sedburys Ghost and Scorching. On top by two lengths after a half in :48.85, War Signal, third in last year’s Shady Well Stakes, was then confronted by Mansetti, who glided up on the outside to engage the pacesetter coming off the turn for home. As the field straightened for the sprint to the wire, Mansetti marched to the front and was then kept to task by Moran, as Scorching and 6-5 choice Megalodon looked to reel in their rival. A head on top at the stretch call, Mansetti crossed the wire a one length-winner in a time of 1:45.00. Scorching, back off a ninth-month layoff, finished a half-length ahead of Megalodon for second. Sedburys Ghost was fourth. Mansetti and jockey Pietro Moran winning the Marine Stakes (G3) on June 28, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “It’s a different test for today,” said Moran. “You know, to be honest, I was a bit worried. I don’t know if he would get the distance. He’s always trained like a great horse. “He really picked it up, he jumped right out and showed me that he’s going to grind the rest of the way and down the lane – it’s just a matter of getting him there. He’s just all heart.” Trained by Kevin Attard for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling, the bay colt is now 4-0-0 from 7 starts, including stakes scores in this year’s Woodstock and the 2024 edition of the Clarendon. The King’s Plate is definitely on the radar. “He’s earned his way into that race now off of this win,” said Attard. “So, it’s nice to see today kind of come together and take that next step. “He’s really mentally matured a lot, and he’s always shown a lot of talent,” Attard continued. “Just been kind of one good race, one bad race. Unfortunately, last time, he lost all chance at the break. So, I think you can just draw a line through it. And today, the race unfolded really well. Pietro sat a great trip, gave him a good ride, and we were lucky to hang on.” A son of Collected out of the Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, Mansetti debuted with a win at six furlongs over the main track last September at Woodbine, dueling early before pulling away to win by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:11.49. Bred in Ontario by Jungle Racing, LLC, he paid $12.80 for the Marine win. A $40,000 purchase (Hip No. 48) from the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, Mansetti is named after a popular pizza and pasta restaurant in the Ulwellings’ home state of Minnesota. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
