TORONTO-The advantage of the home stretch paid off very well on Saturday for the cruise in the city.
Daisuke Fukumoto led the six-year-old gelding to a wire-to-wire victory in the million Ricoh Woodbine Mile grass race at the Woodbine circuit. The victory came at the 14th career start of Town Cruise from Ontario, all in Woodbine.
Town Cruise won the victory in one minute 35.14 seconds on a good terrain.
“I’m still amazed, it’s an incredible feeling,” Fukumoto said after the race. “To win a 1st place is my dream and I’ve had a good horse so far this year.
“This horse is a difficult horse to ride. I am so happy to celebrate for myself. I would like to thank Brandon (trainer Brandon Greer) for taking very good care of this horse and thank you very much.”
Fukumoto won the Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales last year with a powerful one-eyed heart.
Greer, based in Woodbine, who is also the owner and co-owner of Town Cruise with his father Terrance, found the thwarted victory a little overwhelming to cash in on.
“It’s a bit surreal at the moment, but I’m absolutely thrilled with him,” Greer said. “This horse is incredible. I absolutely love him.”
Space Traveler, a five-year-old dark bay from Great Britain with Daniel Tudhope on board, was second,by 2 lengths 1/4. Raging Bull of the French breed, ridden by Frankie Dettori, was third.
Town Cruise has a sixth win in his career with two second-place finishes and a third from his 14 all-time starts.
With this victory, Town Cruise won a place in the mile of the Breeders’ Cup million, which is expected to take place in November. 6 in Del Mar. Greer could not immediately say whether the horse would actually go to the Breeders’ Cup.
“Well, I have to ask someone very important first, the horse,” he said. “We take a few days and take things slowly, gently, see how everything happens after the race.
“And then I’ll ask the horse and see what he wants to do.”
Earlier, Dettori led Walton Street to victory in the 600,000 Pat Canadian International Pattison. Walton Street finished the 1 1/2 mile race in 2:29.07 on a good grass course.
Walton Street crossed the finish line with a 5-length lead over Desert Experience, who was looking for the third victory in a row. Desert Experience was mounted by Emma-Jayne Wilson.
Danny Tudhope was originally scheduled to ride on Desert Experience, but was ruled out by travel issues.
Joshua Tree remains the only three-time winner of the race.
Primo Touch, with Fukumoto on board, is third.
“I think, to be honest, it worked perfectly, as we thought,” said Alex Merriman, the assistant to the victorious coach Charlie Appleby. “I thought he was going to go forward and go in.
“Frankie has his game plan, and when striking, he always knew that he would continue and he went and saw the race well. ”
Dettori recorded his fourth Canadian win at the internationals. His previous successes came with Mutafaweq, Sulamani and Joshua Tree.