Silent Runner makes some noise in Frost King / Ya Mar sails to victory in South Ocean
TORONTO, November 21, 2021 – Silent Runner was full of run late to take all the spoils in the $100,000 Frost King Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.
With a confident David Moran in the irons, Silent Runner, a two-year-old son of Silent Name (JPN), watched an early tussle for the lead unfold before seizing striking front with authority late in the 6 ½-furlong main track affair for Ontario-sired two-year-old colts and geldings, going on to notch a three-quarter length triumph in his first stakes victory.
%20%20.jpg "Silent Runner made noise with jockey David Moran earning the lions share of the Frost King Stakes at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo) ")
Sent off at 3-1, the Michael Doyle trainee sat fourth through an opening quarter in :23.47 posted by leader Where’s Neal, before moving into second spot after a half-mile timed in :46.50.
Once the seven-horse field straightened for home, Moran had Silent Runner in top gear, the duo holding a head advantage at the stretch call, then powering home impressively for the milestone score. Sir for Sure rallied stoutly to finish second, a half-length ahead of Gatling Gun.
The final time was 1:16.96.
“He’s a lovely little horse,” praised Moran. “He’s a real ATM machine. I was a little worried coming back so quick with him (a winning performance on November 12). So, he broke really fast and I was there to take him back and get him in behind the speed. He settled lovely and then as you saw, when I asked him, he ran right to the wire. He’s a lovely little guy.”
Bred and owned by Scott Abbott Racing Stable, the dark bay improved his record to 3-3-0 from seven starts while winning his second straight race.
After finishing second in his debut in July, Silent Runner finished fourth in his next start on August 1. His maiden-breaking effort came one race later, on September 2.
The Frost King was the third stakes appearance for the colt, who was second in both the Ontario Racing Stakes and the Clarendon.
Silent Runner paid $8.70 for the win.
In other stakes action on Sunday at the Toronto oval, Ya Mar took the $100,000 South Ocean Stakes, a 6 ½-furlong main track race for Ontario-sired two-year-old fillies.
Bred and owned by Gabe Grossberg, Ya Mar, a daughter of Silent Name (JPN), recorded her first stakes win and is now 2-0-1 from four starts.
.jpg "Ya Mar with Kazushi Kimura stride away from the field to capture the South Ocean Stakes at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo)")
Loaded Vixen, the longest shot on the board at 23-1, took the lead, as Kazushi Kimura settled Ya Mar into second spot, a half-length behind the pacesetter, through an opening quarter-mile timed in :23.40.
Ya Mar, the 3-2 choice, took over top spot just ahead of the half, reached in :45.96, and then began to shake loose from her rivals.
Ahead by 2 ½-lengths at the stretch call, the dark bay, who arrived at the South Ocean off a third in the Shady Well Stakes on October 8, crossed the wire ahead of stablemate Lois Len by the same margin. Swinging Mandy was third.
The final time was 1:17.16.
“She’s a nice filly and pretty quick,” said Kimura, Woodbine’s leading rider who was aboard Ya Mar for the first time. “She’s very eager to run.”
Casse leads all trainers with four South Ocean victories. The dual Hall of Fame conditioner won the 2009 edition with Attitude Included, the 2014 running with Galina Point, and in 2018 with Preferred Guest.
Ya Mar paid $5 for the win.