Sly Gold wins 51st running of Osiris Stakes on Wednesday. Adolfo Morales up.
by George
Sly Gold rebounded off a tough-trip loss in the Graduation Stakes to wire his field in the $30,000 Osiris Stakes for 2-year-olds on Wednesday night at Assiniboia Downs, and in the process turned the tables on Graduation Stakes victor Spider’s Alibi.
Taking the lead from the outset under jockey Adolfo Morales, Sly Gold opened a two-length advantage over Kenton on the backstretch and maintained his lead through solid fractions of 23.20 and 46.40 before opening a six-length lead into the stretch. He got the five-eighths in 59.20 and coasted home late to win by four lengths over a rallying Spider’s Alibi.
It was a further seven lengths back to Kenton in third. The final time for the six furlongs over the fast strip was 1:12.40 and the winner paid $10.30 as the second choice in the wagering.
Trained by Blair Miller, Sly Gold had trouble bumping into the turn in the Graduation Stakes on August 14 and never really had a chance to show his best, but still managed to finish third beaten only 3 3/4-lengths in the first start of his career.
The New York-bred 2-year-old bay colt by Touch Gold-Devilish Sly by Tomorrows Cat earned $18,360 for his Osiris victory, increasing his lifetime earnings to $21,420 for the ownership team of Hillside Farm, Crockett, Anderson and Bosma.
“I just want to thank the ownership group first for sending me to Florida to buy this colt,” said Miller. “I just liked the way he worked. There was 1200 in the sale. We probably looked at 200. I really liked the way this colt moved, the way he was built, and he’s bred to run long so I’m not concerned about getting a little more distance out of him. He’s a pretty nice colt.”
Thinking about the $50,000 Winnipeg Futurity on September 6?
“We’ll see how he is tomorrow and the next day,” said Miller. “I expect him to be fine. He’s been 100 percent sound since we got him. We’re sure pointing to the Futurity next.”
Sly Gold in the Winner’s Circle after winning 51st Osiris Stakes.
“It was a wonderful race,” said ownership partner Wayne Anderson. “We’d just like to thank Blair for and Sarah and the crew in the barn for the work they have done getting this horse fit to run. He was in trouble in his last race, but I think we were pretty confident that he would improve off that race.”
“My brother and I and my nephew Scott have been around a long time. And the Osiris, the 51st Osiris, which R. J. Speers started, winning it is a real treasure.”