Master William in Charge of Cup & Saucer

(from Woodbine report)
Master William, masterfully piloted by Patrick Husbands, scored a major upset in Saturday's featured $250,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes at Woodbine.

Trained by another master, Michael Dickinson, Master William, a 13-1 shot, was not only winning for the first time, but he was also overcoming a three-month layoff. The chestnut son of King of Kings hadn't raced since a July 8 debut at Colonial Downs, when he finished fourth in a mile maiden grass contest.

Saturday's 1 1/16-mile turf classic for Canadian-foaled 2-year-olds attracted a field of 14, headed by recent Swynford Stakes winner Winter Whiskey, who went postward the 5-2 favorrite.

But after early fractions of :22.71 and :45.65 set by Imperial Alydeed, Silver Ticket, the 4-1 second choice, assumed command as the field headed into the long E.P. Taylor Turf Course stretch. Meanwhile, Husbands had Master William rolling on the outside around the far turn after breaking from post position 14 and lagging in 13th place for the first half of the race.

Inside the eighth pole, Master William caught up to Silver Ticket and jockey Todd Kabel, then inched away in the closing yards to win by a half-length, in 1:42.46 over a 'firm' turf course. Third Sacker rallied for third, 5 1/4 lengths further back while Spider Canyon wound up fourth. Winter Whiskey was never a factor, finishing 10th.

"I love it up here. I think I'll become a resident," laughed assistant trainer Jon Ferraday. "The barn's running really well at the moment. He (Master William) just showed us a little bit. He's a very, very, laid back horse. An hour before the race, he was laying down, that tells something about the horse. He did it nicely."

Dickinson has made two successful recent raids on Woodbine from his Tapeta Farm home base in Maryland. On Sept. 28, his Bowman Mill scored an upset in the $271,750 Sky Classic Stakes Handicap. After Master William's surprise, the stable is hoping to continue its roll when Bowman Mill returns for the $1.5 million Pattison Canadian International (Can-I) Sunday.

Bred by Bill Graham and purchased for $25,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale by owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Master William repaid his cost in one fell swoop, netting $150,000 for the win.

Master William returned $29.40, $14.50 and $10.10, combining with Silver Ticket ($6.50, $4.60) for a $237.50 exacta. Third Sacker ($6.90) completed trifecta worth $2,865.80.

(Chart, Equibase)