James Street, rallying with determination on the outside, collared pacesetter Patrioticandproud in deep stretch and went on to win the $153,937 Autumn Stakes (Can-II) Nov. 10 at Woodbine (VIDEO).
Ridden patiently by Patrick Husbands, James Street needed room while racing toward the inside on the far turn and was angled five wide for the stretch run after finding a seam. The Eugene Melnyk homebred came on late to win by a half length over Patrioticandproud, with Hotep third. The final time was 1:44.39 for the 1 1/16-mile Polytrack event.
City Wolf , the 2-1 favorite in the field of seven, was in position after stalking the pace into the stretch but gave way to finish sixth.
Trained by Josie Carroll, James Street, the second choice at odds of 5-2, earned his second win from five starts in 2012. The 5-year-old son of El Prado out of the winning Unbridled mare Alleynedale was third last time in the Durham Cup (Can-III) over the track Oct. 14. He finished 5 1/2 lengths behind Delegation and City Wolf.
Eurico Rosa da Silva had Patrioticandproud on the lead early as City Wolf, breaking from the far outside, applied some pressure. Patrioticandproud led the field through moderate quarter mile fractions of :24.73, :50.39, and 1:14.99 and into the stretch, but drifed out coming off the far turn. That opened room for Hotep along the inside and he came through to challenge as Alpha Bettor rallied on the outside.
But James Street, who had a ground-saving trip while stalking for most of the journey, was soon clear while five paths wide and had the leaders in his sights. He cruised to the front in full stride under a hand ride and appeared to be gearing down for Husbands in the last few jumps after taking control over Patrioticandproud.
Carroll was thrilled with the effort of the winner.
"He's a beautiful horse and the model of consistency," said Carroll. "He's just a horse that comes over and does his job every time."
The trainer admitted to being a little nervous as the field turned for home.
"Fortunately, he found some racing room late," said Carroll. "We were a little concerned as he came around the turn, but as soon as there was a hole, the horse just went for it."
Patrioticandproud was second by half a length over Hotep, ridden by Alex Solis. Alpha Bettor was fourth, followed by Maritimer, City Wolf, and Jomelo.
James Street, earning his first stakes win since taking the Seagram Cup (Can-III) in August 2011, improved to 6-4-3 in 20 starts. The bay horse boosted his earnings to $474,392.
Carrying 119 pounds, James Street paid $7.60, $4.10, and $2.80 and topped a $69.80 exacta. Three-year-old Patrioticandproud returned $8.60 and $4.70. Hotep, sixth in last year's Autumn, was $4.30 to show.
