Unbridled Energy, under Todd Kabel, used a late surge to capture the $166,700 Marine Stakes (Can-III) for 3-year-olds Saturday at Woodbine.Trained by Elliott Walden for WinStar Farm LLC., the Kentucky-based colt, making his Toronto oval debut, rallied along the rail to defeat Wholelottabourbon by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile.It was the second consecutive score and third overall for Unbridled Energy. The son of Unbridled's Song came into the Marine off a 1 3/4-length victory at Gulfstream Park on March 16.Kabel settled the gray behind early pacesetter Wholelottabourbon, last year's Sovereign Award winner as Canada's champion 2-year-old colt, in the early going. David Clark and the son of Foxtrail, making his first route appearance, cut quarter and half-mile fractions of :23.82 and :48.47, respectively. Around the final turn, Wholelottabourbon, seeking his fifth consecutive win, appeared primed for the mild upset, but Unbridled Energy, under strong urging from Kabel, was not to be denied."Mr. Walden called me today and told me he doesn't have a big kick, but he'll always be right there for you," said Kabel, who notched his second Marine crown, after guiding recently retired champion Wando to victory in 2003. "The horse ran a very gritty race today and was very determined to get there."The Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 11 is under consideration for Unbridled Energy.
Unbridled Energy collected $99,540 for the Marine triumph, to raise his career earnings to $135,295 from four lifetime starts.The winner paid $5.50, $4.00, $2.90 across the board and combined with Wholelottabourbon ($4.70, $4.10) for a $27.10 exacta. Palladio ($4.50) was a neck back in third and rounded out a $116.80 trifecta. Queen's Plate contender Enough Is Enough finished fourth, Ablo was fifth and March With Me finished last in the seven-horse field. Lakeville Rush was scratched.The Queen's Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, is set for June 26 at Woodbine.(Chart, Equibase)