Mansetti looks for all the dough in Clarendon
TORONTO, November 22, 2024 – Mansetti, trained by Kevin Attard for Al and Bill Ulwelling, takes on five rivals in the $150,000 Clarendon Stakes, for Ontario-bred or Ontario-sired 2-year-olds, Sunday at Woodbine.
A son of Collected out of the Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, Mansetti won at first asking on Sept. 26 at Woodbine.
The bay dueled early in the six-furlong main track maiden special weight race before seizing command en route to a 1 ¼-length score in 1:11.49.
Attard, who is closing in on 5,000 career starts, noted the grit the colt displayed in the milestone victory.
“There was a lot to like about it,” said Attard, who won the 2008 edition of the Clarendon with Bucephalus. “I think it was a good education for him, having to battle early and then stay strong down the lane. We expected him to run well and he did.”
Mansetti stepped up to the stakes ranks on Oct. 13 when he took on five rivals in the seven-furlong main track Display.
Bumped at the start, he recovered to take a half-length lead at the three-eighths mark but was collared and finished sixth.
“It was obviously disappointing,” said Attard. “I’m not sure how much the bump at the beginning affected the outcome – you never want to make excuses – but he came out of it great, and he’s been doing well.”
Mansetti, who will wear blinkers for the Clarendon, posted two works this month, including a four-furlong breeze in :46.80 over the main track on Nov. 17.
“Very happy with the breezes,” said Attard. “We like the way he’s coming into the race and hopefully, he can take what he’s done in the morning and translate that into a big effort on Sunday.”
A $40,000 purchase (Hip No. 48) at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-olds In Training, Mansetti, bred by Jungle Racing, LLC, is named after a popular pizza and pasta restaurant in the Ulwellings’ home state of Minnesota.
Lawrence Williams is the groom.
Other starters include two-time winner Dark Screen, and Awesome Beat, trained by Harold Ladouceur, who finished second, by a neck, in his debut on Nov. 3.
First post is 1:10 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action with HPIbet and bet365.
Clarendon Stakes (Race 8)
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Dark Screen – Juan Crawford – Beverley Chubb
2 – Awesome Beat – Jose Campos – Harold Ladouceur
3 – French Horn – Sofia Vives – Mark Casse
4 – Mansetti – Leo Salles – Kevin Attard
5 – Patriotic War – Ryan Munger – Mark Casse
6 – Call Me Sue – Fraser Aebly – Alex McPherson
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
