Husbands eyeing record

TORONTO, Canada (CMC): SEVEN-TIME WOODBINE champion Patrick Husbands says he is looking forward to taking sole possession of the Breeders Stakes record, after winning his fourth title here Sunday.

The 42-year-old carried favourite Danish Dynaformer to a stunning victory at Woodbine to win the CAN$500,000 race, the third jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown.

With the success, Husbands joined legendary Hall-of-Fame jockeys Sandy Hawley and Robin Platts as riders with four wins in the prestigious race, but said he had his sights set on a fifth Breeders Stakes win.

“Well, you know, I still have a couple more years left (in my career),” Husbands said.

“I’m so happy and proud to win four Breeders in terms of two great Hall of Fame riders. I’m glad I’m in that class right now.”

Husbands’ first Breeders Stakes win came in 2003 when he made history by capturing the Triple Crown with the legendary Wando. His success remains the last Triple Crown achievement.

He followed up with Breeders Stakes wins in 2006 with Royal Challenger and then in 2007 with Marchfield.

Only last weekend, he won the $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes – the final leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara – with favourite Season Ticket. He now has six stakes wins this season, with the last four coming in August alone.

On Sunday, Husbands sat Danish Dynaformer off the pace in second as he stalked the leader Samuel Dechamplain down the backstretch.

He was four lengths adrift heading into the turn, but closed strongly to draw level before exploding mid-stretch and storming to the wire 73/ lengths clear.

Husbands, the reigning Woodbine champion, has picked up the pace after a sluggish start to the season. He lies fourth with 59 wins, eight off third-place Alan Garcia, but 32 adrift of current leader Eurico Rosa da Silva, on 91 wins.

However, Husbands lies second in earnings with CAN$3.1 million, only behind da Silva with $3.9 million.