Leonnatus Anteas and jockey Jono Jones pulled away from heavily favored Mike Fox in mid-stretch to impressively win the $250,000 Cup & Saucer Stakes for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds Sunday at Woodbine.The 1 1/16-mile feature brought together two highly-regarded, undefeated colts - Mike Fox and Leonnatus Anteas - both with designs on staking a claim to a year-end Sovereign Award as the country's top male juvenile.Knob Hill Stable and the Estate of Steve Stavro own Leonnatus Anteas, a chestnut son of Stormy Atlantic .Jones had Leonnatus Anteas placed in a stalking fourth position on the inside from the outset as 4-5 choice Mike Fox and outsider Maccabi hooked up through early fractions of :23.40 and :47.44.But as the field of eight swung into the long E.P. Taylor Turf Course stretch after six furlongs was reached in 1:13.44, Mike Fox and jockey Jim McAleney were challenged on the inside by Leonnatus Anteas. After a brief duel, Leonnatus Anteas pulled away effortlessly despite switching to his wrong lead in late stretch, eventually scoring by 2 3/4 lengths over a closing Seaside Links. Mike Fox faded to third, three-quarters of a length further back. The final time was 1:45.58 over a 'yielding' turf course.It was the second stakes win for the Kevin Attard-trained Leonnatus Anteas, who had made his racing debut in the Vandal Stakes Aug. 13 when he prevailed by a head in the five-furlong inner track dash while closing impressively. "I'm so proud of this horse," said Attard, of the $62,000 (US) Keeneland yearling purchase. "He's just a great horse to have. I'm very fortunate. I'm lost for words, really. It was a big task for him. I tried to get him as fit as I could.
"There was a little question mark, especially with all the rain we had last week. I thought the turf might be a little soft and just a little harder for him to get through. But he's had some good works, and he's done everything right."Sent postward the 3-1 second choice, Leonnatus Anteas returned $8.30, $4, and $2.80, combining with Seaside Links ($4.50, $2.70) for a $49.20 exacta. Mike Fox paid $2.40 to show.(Chart, Equibase)
