Swynford 'Bears' Repeating at Woodbine

(from Woodbine report)
Owner Bear Stables Ltd. notched its second juvenile stakes victory in as many weekends at Woodbine on Sunday when Bear Character upset in the $132,750 Swynford Stakes at seven furlongs.

The stalking son of Dixie Union-Forty Love, by Forty-Niner, sent off at odds of 6-1 in his first start at Woodbine, overtook the pacesetting Ballado Dancer to score by a half-length in 1:23.83.

Ballado Dancer set fractions of :22.78 and :45.16 but was unable to hold off Bear Character.

"There wasn't really anything left for him at home," said winning trainer Dale Greenwood, who is based at Northlands Park. "At home, he got in lots of traffic all the time. We never had that problem today. The bigger racetrack sure helped him."

Jockey Jim McAleney, partnered with the Kentucky-bred gelding for the first time. McAleney also partnered Bear Stables' Bear's Kid, who was saddled by Reade Baker, in last weekend's Summer Stakes (Can-II).

The victory, which elevated Bear Character's earnings to $133,246, was the first at Woodbine for Greenwood.

Bear Character returned $15.20 for the victory, keying a $44.10 exacta with Ballado Dancer. Bright N Golden finished third as the 3-5 favorite in the field of four. There was no place or show wagering.

(Chart, Equibase)