Winner of three in a row, Dresden Row ready for Toronto Cup test
TORONTO, August 29, 2024 – Six hopefuls, including Dresden Row, will contest the $125,000 Toronto Cup Stakes Presented by Crown Royal, Saturday at Woodbine.
A son of Lord Nelson-Elle Special, Dresden Row heads into the one-mile event for 3-year-olds over the E.P. Taylor turf on a roll for trainer Lorne Richards.
Owned by True North Stable and Bloom Racing Stable (Jeffrey Bloom), the chestnut colt has won three-straight races.
After a debut second over six furlongs on the E.P. Taylor course last October and a third, just a head back of the winner in the six-panel test over the all-weather track two weeks later, Dresden Row broke his maiden courtesy of a 1 ¼-length score over 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather on November 5.
He closed out his rookie campaign with another sharp effort, a 3 ¼-length triumph at 6 ½ furlongs over the Toronto oval’s all-weather track.
Richards was impressed by the strong 2-year-old season crafted by Dresden Row.
“I liked him right from the start. He moves very well. The horses that get from A to B with the least effort – that is what you are looking for and that is the whole key. He fits the bill there.”
Bred in Kentucky by TCR Ranch, Dresden Row returned to race action on July 12 and subsequently posted a three-quarter length victory at seven furlongs on the all-weather.
“He’s a very nice little guy. I thought all three of his wins were impressive, but I think the last time, when he beat older horses, was probably his best. I believe everybody in the race had won more races than he had run in, and he was coming off the bench, so that all added up to a very nice performance.”
Now, the versatile sophomore will compete on the turf for the first time since his debut, in what will mark Dresden Row’s first stakes appearance.
Richards, a multiple graded stakes winning-conditioner with 425 career victories, believes his charge is up for the task, despite the ladder climb and stiff competition.
“He’s a bit of a nervous guy, but he is a lot better than he was last year. He’s settled down and relaxed, especially in the last couple months. He seems as though he has really matured and filled out. I’m very pleased with this guy and how he runs hard each time.
“Nick Webb has been getting on the horse for me and has done a great job. This horse can be tough to gallop, and Nick volunteered to give it a try. They work well together.”
Laura Delorey is the groom.
“He always tries his hardest and he makes it look so easy,” said Delorey. “He’s just a very good horse. Last year when he first came to us, he was pretty wound up and he’s come so far from that. Now he’s a nice, relaxed horse, a pleasure to work around – very kind and gentle for a colt. He likes mints and carrots, but he loves getting his nose kissed.”
Dresden Row (Hip #315) was a $70,000 (U.S.) purchase at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training.
Jockey Todd Kabel, who passed away in 2021, won seven editions of the Toronto Cup, including five straight from 2003-07.
Dual hall of famer trainer Mark Casse has sent out six winners, the most recent coming in 2020 with Proven Strategies. He has Swift Delivery, co-owned by NFL star tight end Travis Kelce, in this year’s running.
The Toronto Cup Stakes is scheduled as the ninth race on Saturday’s 1:05 p.m. card. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365.com.
Field for the Toronto Cup Stakes (Race 9)
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Babbo – Eswan Flores – Sid Attard
2 – Tuenchi – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Barbara Minshall
3 – Dresden Row – Ryan Munger – Lorne Richards
4 – Swift Delivery – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
5 – Piper’s Factor – Sofia Vives – Katerina Vassilieva
6 – Western Whirl – Jose Campos – Stuart Simon
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
