Tom's Magic, a hard-charging second in The King's Plate, went one better in the CA$400,000 Breeders' Stakes, the final jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, Sept. 28 at Woodbine.
It was the duo of D'aurum and Ciunas who positioned themselves first and second, respectively, soon after the start, followed by Faber, Borealis Trail, and Tom's Magic, into the first turn of the 1 1/2-mile event.
D'aurum was 1 1/2 lengths in front after an opening quarter in :23.71 over a firm inner turf, shadowed to the outside by Ciunas, with Faber and Tom's Magic in third and fourth, respectively.
The lead pair continued to show the way as the tempo noticeably slowed, with D'aurum holding a two-length advantage through a tepid half in :50.08, while Rafael Hernandez, aboard Tom's Magic, was content, at that juncture, to sit third.
Still on top through three quarters in 1:18.14, D'aurum was then engaged by Tom's Magic, who had been given his cue by Hernandez, and the pair engaged the pacesetter with an authoritative burst.
With a full head of steam turning for home, Tom's Magic, the 3-5 choice, looked to shake loose from any late-running rivals, but found himself under pressure from Borealis Trail, who arrived on the scene with a full head of steam just past the mid-stretch mark.
It set the table for a dramatic finish as Borealis Trail continued to grind away on the outside, but a determined Tom's Magic, who was two lengths clear at the stretch call, dug in and repelled his persistent foe for a head win. Faber was third and Aristella finished fourth
The final time was 2:31.80.
After a troubled trip in The King's Plate, it was far smoother sailing on Sunday for the colt owned by CJ Thoroughbreds and Mo Speed Racing.
"During the race, Mike (trainer, Stidham) just told me, 'Rafi, I don't care what you do, just make sure you keep him relaxed,'" said Hernandez, who celebrated his fourth Breeders' Stakes victory. "So, that's what we did. We broke okay, a couple of horses go, and I tried to keep him in behind.
"Around the second turn, the pace was too slow—were just galloping, just walking. I was fighting to keep him in behind. He got on the bridle really hard. Turning for home, I know he was going to give me a kick like he did in The King's Plate."
Stidham, who recorded his 224th career stakes win, heaped praise on the chestnut who was bred in Ontario by Sean Fitzhenry and Dorothy Fitzhenry.
"We were certainly worried with the way the race was going to set up, pace-wise." said Stidham. "Tom's Magic can be a little bit keen. The only thing I stressed to Rafael was we've got to get him to turn off at some point down the backside, so he will have something to finish with. It was a little bit close, but it showed his courage and ability to get it done."
Scott Mawaka, of Mo Speed Racing, went through a range of emotions before, during, and after the race.
I knew we had a really good horse," Mawaka said. He was well prepared. I felt much better than I did in the (King's) Plate, and he showed a lot finishing after being challenged. It was impressive but certainly nerve-wracking."
With the Breeders' victory, Tom's Magic, a son of Justify out of the Rahy mare Dixie Chicken, is now 4-2-0 from seven starts.
He paid $3.50 for the win.
Video: Breeders' S. (BT)
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
