Southdale Makes the Grade in Eclipse Stakes

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Photo: Michael Burns

Southdale comes home strong to win the Eclipse Stakes.

Lightly-raced Southdale, a 4-year-old son of Street Cry, took over from pacesetter Fatal Bullet in mid-stretch and held off Stunning Stag by three-quarters of a length to win the $176,500 Eclipse Stakes (Can-III) (VIDEO) June 5 at Woodbine.

Now perfect in two starts this season, Southdale entered the Eclipse off a solid allowance win on the same track at six furlongs in May. Runner-up by a neck in the Plate Trial to close out his 3-year-old campaign, the bay colt is now 3-1-1 from five starts.

Ian Black trained the winner for owner-breeder Rod Ferguson. Emma-Jayne Wilson was aboard.

In the 1 1/16-mile Eclipse, Southdale raced mid-pack through easy fractions as pacesetter Fatal Bullet, the 5-2 favorite, took the field of eight through splits of :25.17, 49.62, and 1:13.45. Tierra Del Tigre stalked the pace and Mast Track   was also close up.

Southdale made his winning move coming off the final turn, collared Fatal Bullet in mid-stretch, then dug in deep to hold off that one and Stunning Stag, who was closing well on the outside under Eurico Rosa Da Silva. The final time on Polytrack was 1:43.77. Stunning Stag was a length in front of third-place Fatal Bullet.

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