Whereas Woodbine race followers will likely be handled to the coronation of a brand new racing star within the King’s Plate Stakes, the undercard races Aug. 17 will function some acquainted, successful names as Conflict Bomber and Patches O’Houlihan are again to defend their titles within the day’s graded occasions.
Bruno Schickedanz’s Conflict Bomber sprung a light upset final 12 months as he took the CA$205,700 King Edward Stakes (G2T). The now 6-year-old Conflict Entrance  gelding confirmed coronary heart and dedication by means of an extended stretch battle to emerge along with his second graded win.
Video: King Edward S. (G2T)
The victory could have taken the wind out of his sails as he failed to breed that effort whereas ending off the board in his subsequent 4 begins. Nonetheless, he confirmed July 20 that he is rounding again into type on the proper time with a stable runner-up effort within the seven-furlong Connaught Cup Stakes (G2T), the identical race and end result he used as a springboard to King Edward glory final 12 months.
Returning to the one-mile distance, at which he’s 3-for-6, the Irish-bred appears for his eighth victory in 25 begins in an try so as to add to his $470,357 in earnings.Join BloodHorse Every day
Ending a neck forward of him within the Connaught was Michael Lay’s Cruden Bay , a 6-year-old son of Massive Display  bred in Ontario. The gelding has gained two consecutive begins since coach Donald MacRae transferred using duties to final 12 months’s Sovereign Award-winning apprentice jockey Sofia Vives.
The pair will face a brand new challenger within the form of Gary Barber, Wachtel Secure, and Peter Deutsch’s Filo Di Arianna , who has already entered the King Edward winners’ circle again in 2022.
After that victory, the Brazilian-bred Drosselmeyer gelding took on a number of the finest turf sprinters and milers in the USA and carried out respectably in opposition to the likes of Casa Creed , Emmanuel , and Cogburn .
Following consecutive defeats on the hooves of Cogburn, the Mark Casse trainee returned house to Woodbine and exuded his class with a 2 1/4-length win within the June 29 Highlander Stakes (G2T).
In six begins at Woodbine, Filo Di Arianna has gained 5 whereas ending second within the different. His Toronto heroics have represented $344,385Â of his $527,816Â in profession earnings.
Entries: bet365 King Edward S. (G2T)Woodbine, Saturday, August 17, 2024, Race 8Grade IIT1mTurf $200,0003 yo’s & up4:23 PM (native)
Speedy Patches O’Houlihan Makes an attempt to Proceed Dominance in Daring Enterprise
Whereas Conflict Bomber warms up for his try at consecutive King Edward wins, Patches O’Houlihan will likely be cooling down from what proprietor Frank Di Giulio Jr. hopes will likely be a profitable title protection within the CA$150,000 Daring Enterprise Stakes (G3) going 6 1/2Â furlongs.
Photograph: Michael BurnsPatches O’Houlihan wins the Daring Enterprise Stakes at Woodbine
The Daring Enterprise is the place the then 3-year-old Ontario-bred speedster formally launched himself to Canadian racing followers, stepping up in opposition to older horses to earn his first graded victory.
Goals of an ideal season got here to an finish in his seventh and last begin of 2023, however the Reload  gelding’s Daring Enterprise and Vigil Stakes (G3) victories propelled him to Sovereign Award honors as champion male sprinter.
Teaming up with one other Sovereign Award winner, Vives, for the primary time, the homebred gelding romped by six lengths within the July 28 Pink Lloyd Stakes to kick off his 4-year-old marketing campaign.
Skilled by Robert Tiller, Patches O’Houlihan is 8-for-10 lifetime for earnings of $376,234.
For the speedy champion to retain his title, he should defeat a brand new up-and-comer within the dash division: Playmea Tune .
Campaigned by coach Josie Carroll for Chiefswood Stables, the 4-year-old Maclean’s Music  gelding is 2-for-2 with a mixed win margin of 16 1/2 lengths.
Entries: Daring Enterprise S. (G3)Woodbine, Saturday, August 17, 2024, Race 7Grade III6 1/2fAll Climate Observe $150,0003 yo’s & up3:43 PM (native)
