(from Woodbine report)
Kingfield Racing Stable's Jambalaya romped to an eight-length win over Area Limits in the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes, the third leg in Canada's Triple Crown at Woodbine Sunday.Catherine Day Phillips, who became the first woman trainer to win the coveted Breeders' with A Bit O'Gold in 2004, made it back-to-back Breeders' once again with jockey Jono Jones in the irons. Jambalaya, who came into the 1 1/2-mile classic off two consecutive grass scores, stalked the brisk pace of Sam-Son Farm's See the Wind, the field's only filly, who set early fractions of :23.63 and :46.98.As the field of nine Canadian-bred 3-year-olds swung off the far turn and into the stretch, Jambalaya, after six furlongs in 1:11.24, glided towards the leader, primed to unleash his trademark late kick. He easily collared See the Wind at the quarter-pole, then kicked away down the long stretch. The gelded dark bay son of Langfuhr continued to widen on Area Limits with a joyful Jones astride, crossing the wire in 2:27.86, the third-fastest Breeders' clocking since the Triple Crown was inaugurated in 1959. "My guy broke really sharply, (See the Wind) went to the lead, so I took back and went to the rail," said Jones, describing his ideal trip. "I knew that somebody would have to be coming really fast to beat me. Obviously, they didn't."Jambalaya was the 6-5 favorite, based on his past two races, a 1 1/2-length score at 1 1/16 miles June 12 and a 2 1/2-length triumph at 1 3/8 miles July 14. However, he was simply dominant in his added-money debut, remaining undefeated on the turf after three losing races on dirt to begin his career."We were very confident, but right before it my stomach didn't feel quite as good," said Day Phillips. "He had been training fabulously."In spite of the brilliant performance, Day Phillips isn't quite ready to draw comparisons between Jambalaya and A Bit O'Gold, last year's champion 3-year-old male in Canada who is in the midst of a stellar 2005 campaign."Those are big boots to fill, awfully big boots to fill. He's moving forward in the right direction," she said.Area Limits, looking to give Hall of Fame conditioner Roger Attfield his record eighth Breeders' win, finished second for the third time in his past four starts.Garry Cruise piloted See the Wind to a third-place finish, a solid performance considering the daughter of Sky Classic came into the marathon race one week after finishing third in the Wonder Where Stakes, third jewel in the Triple Tiara Series."She's a beautiful filly, very strong," said Cruise. "She's a gutsy filly, but the winner was too much for us in the end."Jambalaya became the third winner in the 2005 Triple Crown races, following Wild Desert's win in the Queen's Plate and Ablo's victory in the Prince of Wales Stakes. With the winner's share of $300,000, Jambalaya, a $2,500 (U.S.) yearling purchase bred by Gus Schickedanz (the owner of 2003 Triple Crown champion Wando), now has $388,130 in lifetime earnings after six starts. Jambalaya paid $4.70, $2.90, and $2.50, combining with Area Limits ($5.20, $3.90) for a $16.40 exacta. See the Wind ($6.20 to show) completed a trifecta worth $154.40.(Chart, Equibase)