Zippy Gizmo rallies late to take Bull Page / War Painter is the queen of the Victorian Queen
TORONTO, September 24, 2023 – Zippy Gizmo got up in the final strides to take top prize in the $100,000 Bull Page Stakes, a seven-furlong grass event for Ontario-sired 2-year-old colts and geldings, Sunday at Woodbine.
A son of Amis Gizmo-Avie’s Zip, Zippy Gizmo, with Kazushi Kimura aboard, got away last of six as the duo of Yacht Boy and 5-2 choice Meko Makee dueled for the early lead, with the latter eventually striking front to hold a narrow advantage through an opening split in :23.41.
Meko Makee extended his lead over Yacht Boy to a length after a half in :46.33, while Kimura and Zippy Gizmo continued to trail the field.
The pacesetting pair continued their tussle on the front coming off the turn for home but were soon greeted by Summer Commander and Brave Dancer, while Zippy Gizmo began to pick up momentum with an inside bid. It was Brave Dancer who emerged on top late, but a determined Zippy Gizmo found just enough to eke out a neck victory.
Brave Dancer finished a half-length ahead of Summer Commander for second. Bearing Down, Meko Makee and Yacht Boy rounded out the field.
The final time was 1:22.77 over a “firm” E.P. Taylor turf.
Bred (Tall Oaks Farm) and owned by Ivan Dalos, Zippy Gizmo came into his first stakes engagement off a maiden-breaking score on August 27, a 2 ½-length triumph at 6 ½ furlongs over a “good” E.P. Taylor turf.
“I’m definitely really proud of him,” said trainer Kevin Attard. “We had the opportunity to work him out on the training track turf a while back and I thought he worked phenomenal out there. When the opportunity arose to get him out on the grass, he obviously broke his maiden. I thought he looked pretty impressive doing it. He’s not a big horse, but he’s got a lot of heart and he showed a lot of grit today.”
It was the second win from four starts for the chestnut colt.
“This is so special,” said Colleen Dalos, Director of Tall Oaks Farm. “As you know, we’ve been supporting Ontario, we have five stallions here. He’s come from our flagship Victory Gallop line. Amis Gizmo is relatively new, this is his first stakes winner of his first crop and we’re starting to see some amazing Amis Gizmos. We’re excited about it and the first is always really special. Just a shout-out to my dad, who I think is the most ingenious, incredible breeder. We love you, dad.”
Zippy Gizmo paid $9.10 for the win.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
War Painter is the queen of the Victorian Queen
TORONTO, September 24, 2023 – War Painter, under Patrick Husbands, brushed to the lead late en route to victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Victorian Queen Stakes, for 2-year-old Ontario-sired fillies, at Woodbine.
Trained by Kevin Attard for Canuck Racing Club, the daughter of Danish Dynaformer-Morning Tale came into the seven-furlong turf race with a second and third on her resume.
The third time proved to be the charm for the bay filly.
After an even start, it was 3-2 choice Olivia Rose who set the tone early, taking her four rivals (Vandoo was scratched) through an opening quarter of :23.70, while Husbands and War Painter sat at the back of the pack.
Olivia Rose continued to call the shots through a half in :46.85, the daughter of Silent Name (JPN) was a half-length clear of Never Silent, as War Painter was allowed to watch the proceedings from in fifth.
Still on top around the turn for home, Olivia Rose put away Never Silent and looked to dart away from her pursuers, but Husbands had War Painter in full flight, splitting rivals and setting their sights on the frontrunner.
A half-length behind at the stretch call, War Painter kept coming and eventually got the upper hand to secure a one-length victory. Olivia Rose finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Fourfiftyfour. Hurricane Clair, supplemented to the race was fourth, followed by Never Silent.
The final time over a “firm” E.P. Taylor was 1:21.70.
“She broke sharp, and I just wanted to see how the race would unfold,” said Husbands. “She was just watching them the whole way and started to get away from me and I chirped at her, and she responded.”
The result was twice as nice for trainer Kevin Attard, who sent out Zippy Gizmo to win the $100,000 Bull Page Stakes two races earlier.
“A lot of guys are new to the game, some have had previous experience, so it’s just a great way for people to get involved in a great sport and own a small fractional share of a horse,” said Attard, of Canuck Racing Club. “Now, we’re in the winner’s circle with a stakes winner in the first year. A pretty good start.”
Bred by Charles Fipke, War Painter finished second in her debut on July 29 before a third-place effort on August 27.
She paid $12.80 for today’s win.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
Zippy Gizmo and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning the Bull Page Stakes on September 24, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Zippy Gizmo and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning the Bull Page Stakes on September 24, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
