Malibu Moon 3YO delivers in $100K Toronto Cup
July 23, 2017
Final Copy posted his third straight winning performance in Sunday’s $100,000 Toronto Cup on the Woodbine turf course, defeating Conquest Lemonraid for his first black type win in his stakes debut.
The gray or roan 3-year-old is Malibu Moon’s 101st lifetime stakes winner. The Spendthrift stallion is once again in the top 10 on this year’s General Sire list, with 104 individual winners, 10 black type horses, and more than $5.7 million in progeny earnings to date.
Final Copy rated in fourth for the first seven furlongs, well off of Night Watchman, who had sprinted some seven lengths clear in the first half-mile. The leader began to back up mid-way on the turn and was passed by Conquest Lemonraid at the top of the lane.
Final Copy swung three wide and collared Conquest Lemonraid in the final sixteenth, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.24 for the 1 1/8-miles on the “good” turf.
“Everything worked good today,” said winning rider Rafael Hernandez. “He had a good break, he relaxed and we got a clear trip. He’s doing what he’s been doing the last three times – just let him run in the stretch.”
“I think that made the difference,” said trainer Roger Attfield of the decision to geld the horse after a seventh-place effort in March at Tampa Bay Downs. “He’s a good-looking horse, great walk to him, great pedigree. It turned him right around for sure. I was really pleased with his race today because it’s the first time he’s been that far off the pace and come running. It’s a good step in the right direction, I think.”
Final Copy broke his maiden in late May then won an allowance on June 28, both on the Woodbine turf. He is now 3-0-0 in six starts and has earned $123,610 for owner/breeder Chiefswood Stable. The winner is out of Seanachai and is a full brother to Original Script, also a stakes winner at Woodbine.