(from Woodbine report)
El Brujo, who became the first winner for sire Candy Ride in June, looks to land his initial stakes tally in Woodbine’s $250,000 Coronation Futurity Nov. 16.
At 8-5 on the morning line, the gelding is favored among six Canadian-bred 2-year-olds entered in the 1 1/8-mile Polytrack event. Regular rider Emma-Jayne Wilson will be aboard, and they will break from post 2.
Owned by Windways Farm and trained by Malcolm Pierce, El Brujo is a half-brother to stakes winner Galadriel. He has two wins, two seconds, and one third from five career starts. His two-runner up scores and third-place effort have come in stakes events: a second in the Clarendon, a second in the Vandal, and a third in the Swynford.
The Ontario-bred broke his maiden in his career debut June 8. Under regular rider Emma-Jayne Wilson, El Brujo made a strong bid a furlong out to score by a head at 4 1/2 furlongs.
In his most recent race, El Brujo, the even-money choice, drove clear in the stretch to win a six-furlong allowance race by 3 3/4 lengths on the Toronto oval’s Polytrack.
“It was a very solid effort,” said assistant trainer Sally Pierce, wife of Malcolm. “He settled nicely and was strong through the stretch.”
The lifetime earner of nearly $160,000 has never been more than a half-length behind the winner to date, as Malcolm Pierce sets his sights on his first triumph in the Coronation Futurity.
The Coronation Futurity provides El Brujo with his first two-turn test, his longest previous race coming in the seven-furlong Swynford Sept. 14.
“He’s done extremely well in stakes company and has always been right there at the wire,” said Sally Pierce. “It would be nice if he could run a distance. His works in the morning suggests it won’t be a problem at all.”
Trainer Mark Casse sends out a pair of Ontario-breds in Gallant and Active Duty. Also in the field are second choice Cool Diablo, Flying Brigade, and Khabibulin.
$250,000 Coronation Futurity (Race 6, 3:35 p.m.), 2-Year-Olds Bred in Canada, 1 1/8 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, ML Odds
1. Cool Diablo (AB), James McAleney, 3/1
2. El Brujo (ON), Emma-Jayne Wilson, 8/5
3. Flying Brigade (ON), Jono C. Jones, 6/1
4. Khabibulin (ON), Emile Ramsammy, 8/1
5. Gallant(ON), Patrick Husbands, 6/1
6. Active Duty (ON), Patrick Husbands, 4/1
Each assigned 122 pounds.
