Palladio Has Momentum for Sunday's Dominion Day

Favored Palladio, coming off an authoritative 2 1/2-length win in the Eclipse Stakes (Can-III) locally, is set to contest his fourth consecutive grade III event, the $200,000 Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

Owned and bred by Haras Santa Maria de Araras, Palladio, a lifetime winner of six races from 17 starts, is a 5-year-old Florida-bred son of Lycius. Sunday's race, at l 1 1/4 miles, is the farthest Palladio will have run in his career. Palladio finished fourth in the Skip Away (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park to A.P. Arrow on March 31, and sixth to Jades Revenge in Keeneland's Ben Ali (gr. III) on April 26,

“He’s one of my favorite horses to ride,” said Richard Dos Ramos, who has piloted Palladio on 10 occasions. “He’s brought me a lot of great highlights. He’s just all racehorse.”

Palladio has built up an impressive record, including his most high-profile win to date, a one-length victory in the Ohio Derby (gr. II) two years ago.

“It was something I’ll never forget,” said Dos Ramos. “It was a great time. To be able to win the race on such a talented horse was amazing.”

Under the tutelage of conditioner Roger Attfield, Palladio has competed at some of North America’s most high-profile racetracks, including Keeneland, Churchill Downs and Gulfstream.

Now, Palladio will attempt to win consecutive races for the second time in his career. In 2005, he captured the Victoria Park Stakes at Woodbine before the Ohio Derby triumph.

“I was really excited about this year with him,” offered Dos Ramos. “In his last race, he was definitely at his best. You have to put your running shoes on if he runs his race."

Dos Ramos is no stranger to winning the Dominion Day. The veteran rider won with Mt. Sassafras in 1999 and A Fleets Dancer in 2001. Attfield also has two Dominion Day crowns, with Alybro in 1995 and tA Fleets Dancer.

$200,000 Dominion Day Stakes (Can-III, Race 9, 5:04 p.m.), 3 & Up, 1 1/16 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, ML Odds
1. True Metropolitan (FL), Todd Kabel, 121, 2/1
2. Colorful Judgement (ON), Tyler Pizarro, 115, 10/1
3. Mustanfar (KY), Patrick Husbands, 115, 4/1
4. Getaway Candidate (KY), Tyler Pizarro, 115, 12/1
5. Palladio (FL), Richard A. Dos Ramos, 121, 8/5
6. Shillelagh Slew (PQ), Dino Luciani, 121, 8/1