Stablemates Finish 1-2 In Vandal Stakes

Courtesy: WEG / Michael Burns Photography

Stablemates Buongiorno Johnny and Maritimer finished 1-2, while upsetting Making Amends and Everyday Dave, in the $150,000 Vandal Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday. Buongiorno Johnny rebounded from his previous defeat to win the six furlong sprint for two-year-olds foaled in Ontario.

Everyday Dave, who came into the race off of an 11th place finish at Royal Ascot in his last start in England, broke on top from the seven post, with Buongiorno Johnny and Maritimer behind him from the outside. Everyday Dave ran by himself along the rail, as Buongiorno Johnny and Maritimer held their positions in the middle of the track in an opening quarter of 22.58. Everyday Dave led by as much as a length and a half along the backstretch, but his lead continued to shrink as Buongiorno Johnny closed in. The opening half mile was run in 45.78.

In the turn, Buongiorno Johnny, Maritimer and Making Amends in fourth position, all began to make their moves to position themselves for the stretch run. In that stretch run, Buongiorno Johnny took the lead away from Everyday Dave and looked poised to capture victory. His stablemate would not let him get away easily though, as Maritimer would make a late kick trying to catch the leader, but the line came just in time for Buongiorno Johnny, who secured his first career victory in 1:10.27. Maritimer finished second and Making Amends closed to finish third. Early leader Everyday Dave finished in fourth.

"That's a storybook ending. They're good horses and Sid and his crew have done a good job with them," said the owner of the victorious Norseman Racing Stable, Howard Walton. "This horse is an up-and-comer. He improved so much off that last race and you'll hear more from both of them. The other horse (Maritimer) probably wants to go a little longer and he's bred for the grass as well.

"He (Walton) said let them both run and he was right," said winning trainer Sid Attard. "This horse is going to get better and better. I really liked how he ran today."

Buongiorno Johnny broke his maiden by winning the Vandal Stakes in just his second career start. In his other start, he finished second behind Indian Evening, a promising two-year-old for Vinery Stables and Josie Carroll. Buongiorno Johnny has earned $108,121 for Norseman Racing Stable.

Buongiorno Johnny paid $21.00, $8.70, $4.60, combining with Maritimer ($7.90, $3.80) for a $102 (8-10) exactor. An 8-10-5 (Making Amends, $2.50 to show) triactor was worth $324.10.

Posted in: Woodbine