Janice Attard's longshot Glenville Gardens overtook pacesetter Conquest Enforcer with a furlong to run and fended off the closing rush of Tower of Texas to win Play the King (Can-IIT) Aug. 20 at Woodbine. Video: Play the King S. (G2T)
Ridden by Gary Boulanger for trainer Sid Attard, Glenville Gardens won by a half length to post a third straight victory and first in a graded race.
The son of Street Cry finished seven furlongs on firm footing in 1:20.82 for his seventh win from 13 career starts.
Conquest Enforcer sprinted out to lead early and was pressed by Ami's Flatter while Boulanger settled Glenville Gardens to stalk from third on the rail hrough fractions of :23.16 and :46.26.
Coming out at the three-eights pole, Glenville Gardens was in contention as Conquest Enforcer led by a length into the stretch. He was up to engage the leader just past the eighth pole and dueled that tiring rival as Tower of Texas came on from last at the half-mile mark to just miss.
"He put me in a great position," Boulanger said of Glenville Gardens. "He's just a fighter. Coming down the lane, he doesn't give up. He grinds all the way to the wire. He tries really hard. He's pretty push-button to ride. He gives you a good feeling."
Favorite Conquest Enforcer held on for third in the field of six.
Glenville Gardens, the longest shot in the field at 12-1 odds, paid $26, $9.80, and $5.10, Tower of Texas returned $3.70 and $3, and Conquest Enforcer paid $2.60 to show.
Passion for Action finished a half length back in fourth, followed by Ami's Flatter and Dimension to complete the order of finish.
Attard claimed Glenville Gardens from breeder Eugene Melnyk for $40,000 out of a winning effort at Woodbine Sept. 13, 2015 and enjoyed immediate dividends as the dark bay gelding came right back to win an optional claiming event before scoring in the Labeeb Stakes. His record also includes victory in the 2014 Display Stakes at the Toronto track.
Glenville Gardens is a Kentucky-bred whose dam is the unraced Storm Cat mare Navy Gardens, a daughter of grade I winner Marley Vale.