TORONTO, August 30, 2026 — Scorching returned to the win circle with authority to win Sunday’s $200,000 Elgin Stakes at Woodbine. Since being elevated to first through a disqualification in the 2024 Cup and Saucer Stakes as a two-year-old, the talented son of Mo Town was winless in seven starts since, despite competing valiantly on the Canadian Triple Crown trail as a sophomore. Teaming up for the first time with jockey Rafael Hernandez, the dark bay/brown four-year-old, broke smoothly from post position 10, in the seven-furlong sprint for three and four-year-old, colts and geldings foaled in Canada. As the field of eleven left the seven-panel chute, the speedy favourite Scorching took up second position behind 39-1 shot Carnew, through an opening quarter mile in :22.64. Paynes Spirit was third, Yukon Striker was fourth and second choice Kekoa was adrift in tenth in the field of 11. Outside the three and half furlong marker, Hernandez sent Scorching to the lead, while angling to the rail through an opening half mile in :44.21. Carnew, Paynes Spirit and Yukon Striker quickened in pursuit of the leader, but the John Charalambous trained colt skimmed the rail adroitly and drew off under strong handling to win by five and three-quarter lengths. The winner covered six panels in 1:08.09 and crossed the wire in 1:21.05. Scorching and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning the Elgin Stakes on August 30, 2026 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Scorching (Mo Town – Samsal, by Consolidator) was a $120,000 (CDN) yearling purchase at the Canadian September sale in 2023. He broke his maiden in career start number two, romping by five lengths, under Patrick Husbands in the six and half furlong Simcoe Stakes as a juvenile. He finished second next out in the Cup and Saucer Stakes but was placed first after the winner was disqualified. As a sophomore, Scorching acquitted himself well, running second in the Grade 3 Marine, fourth in the King’s Plate and fourth again in the Prince of Wales during a compact four race campaign. Bred in Ontario by Huntington Stud Farm Group, Scorching opened his four-year-old campaign beaten a neck in the five- and one-half furlong Thorncliffe Stakes in May. He was subsequently sixth and third in his most recent race. Hernandez, made his first spin aboard Scorching a winning one. “John told me, do your thing, put him wherever you want, he’s ready,” said Hernandez, Canada’s reigning and two-time Champion Outstanding Jockey. The soft-spoken but wily Charalambous had his charge perfectly spotted with his family in attendance. “I’ve been dying to run this horse seven eighths of a mile and this is the first time he’s ever raced seven eighths of a mile,” said Charalambous. “We had a great post and everything worked out.” Owned by Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch, Scorching improved to 3-3-2 from 11 career starts. The winner was listed at 6-1 on the morning line, took heavy betting support going postward as the 2-1 favourite and returned $6.40 for the win. 13-1 shot Dark Screen won the place battle, Paynes Spirit was third and 39-1 shot Carnew beefed up the superfecta. Kekoa, second choice in the betting, was sixth. Phil McSween, Woodbine Share This:Share
