Odds-on favorite Rahy's Attorney, reunited with jockey Slade Callaghan, turned back Sand Cove in upper stretch and coasted to a 3 1/4-length repeat victory in Woodbine's $121,700 Bunty Lawless Stakes (VIDEO) Oct. 23.
The Ian Black-trained 6-year-old son of Crown Attorney defeated runner-up Sand Cove by three lengths in last year's Bunty Lawless, a one-turn mile event for Ontario-sired turf specialists. Rahy's Attorney, Canada's champion turf horse of 2008 who is closing in on $2 million in career earnings, won for the 11th time in 20 grass starts at Woodbine.
He was timed in 1:36.36 over a course rated "good" for his third win in the Bunty Lawless in four years.
With Callaghan aboard Rahy's Attorney for the first time since the 2009 Woodbine Mile, the 7-10 choice forced the pace along the rail before taking over from early leader Guipago midway up the backstretch. Rahy's Attorney would lead at every call in the compact five-horse field while clicking off soft fractions of :25, :49.42, and 1:13.45.
Sand Cove, stalking in third early on the outside for jockey Richard Dos Ramos, challenged leaving the turn but failed to sustain his effort in the final furlong. Rahy's Attorney, responding to mild right-handed urging from Callaghan, drew off in the final sixteenth of a mile.
Guipago, ridden by Justin Stein, nosed Mobthewarrior for third while finishing 5 1/4 lengths behind the winner. Race for Gold trailed.
Owned by his breeder, Ellie Boje Farm, in partnership with Jim and Jean MacLellan, Mitch Peters, and Dean Read, Rahy's Attorney won for the second time in eight starts this year with three seconds. He snapped a six-race losing streak when he took the With Approval Stakes Aug. 14. The 2008 Woodbine Mile winner finished second to Violon Sacre in his most recent try, the 1 1/8-mile turf PTHA President’s Cup at Parx Racing at Philadelphia Park Sept. 18.
“It felt great,” said Callaghan, who was aboard Rahy’s Attorney for the Woodbine Mile score. “He ran really well today. He ran like the champion he is.”
Out of the Rahy mare Rahy's Hope, the winning bay gelding improved his career mark to 12-7-4 in 34 races while boosting his earnings to $1,919,412 with the winning share of $73,020.
“We haven’t overused him,” said Black, discussing his horse’s consistent ways. “We’ve spaced out his races and tried to look after him.” Black said Rahy's Attorney is likely done for the year.
Rahy’s Attorney paid $3.40 and $2.20, combining with Sand Cove ($2.80) for a $6.20 exacta. Guipago completed a $15.50 trifecta. There was no show wagering.
Sand Cove, a multiple stakes winner trained by Roger Attfield, captured the Bunty Lawless in 2008.