Edited NYRA report
Wollaston Bay, who opened 2007 by losing to Bill Place in the Jimmy Winkfield Jan. 15, reversed that outcome Monday afternoon, strolling to a 1¼-length victory in the 106th running of the $70,070 Fred “Cappy” Capossela for 3-year-olds at six furlongs before a Presidents’ Day crowd of 2,889 at Aqueduct.
Owned by One Pond Stable and Giuseppina Piazza, Wollaston Bay beat five rivals to the lead under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan and got the first quarter in :22.94, the half in :46.46 and five furlongs in :58.32. Even-money favorite Bill Place, who had saved ground on the rail to keep company with Landofopportunity, outran that one to find a clear outside path and put in a final run, but didn’t have enough. Wollaston Bay won in final time of 1:10.75.
Formerly the Swift Stakes, the ‘Cappy’ was re-named in 1993 in honor of the late track announcer Capossela. A possible next stop for Wollaston Bay figures to be the grade III, $200,000 Gotham for 3-year-olds 1 1/16 mile March 10.
“Last time, we had a game plan: if (Bill Place) goes, don’t let him,” said winning trainer Gary Sciacca. “We were down inside last time and he came on us. Today, we wanted to do the same thing, unless we could clear. The horse was training good, and Shaun (Bridgmohan, jockey) liked him. We may stretch him out down the road. For his next start, we’ll speak with the owner and see how he comes back.”
It was the third win in his last four starts for Wollaston Bay, a Sea of Secretscolt who paid $9.40, $3.60, and $2.70. Bill Place paid $2.40 and $2.30. It was five lengths back in third to Landofopportunity, who paid $2.90, followed by Five Towns, Ease and Smash ‘Em Sammy.
“My intentions were not to take back,” Bridgmohan said. “The post positions were changed today. After I made the lead, my horse threw his ears up. I was pretty happy with the way he was going.”
Bred in Florida by Louis A. Gurino, Wollaston Bay was sold for $8,500 at the 2005 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s August yearling sale.
(Chart, Equibase)