Arzak a 4-year-old son of Not this time made 3 for 3 at Honeysuckle by taking $151,200 Jacques Cartier Stakes (G3) on May 15 against six competitors.
There’s something about the oval in Toronto that seems to bring out the best in Arzak. Intern Michael Trombetta broke her maidenhood on Canadian soil for the second time in November 2020. Back this April, the chestnut won the Thorncliffe Stakes with 3 1/4 lengths.
On a picturesque afternoon, silk-bearer Sonata Stable once again had the opportunity to pass Woodbine Tapeta. Driver Kazushi Kimura wasted very little time turning on the engine with Arzak, with the same top duo over a quarter mile opening with a time of: 22.55, as Secret sanctuary inside, and Silent Poet , go outside, monitor the pacesetter. Arzak extended his lead to 2 1/2 lengths after going half a mile reaching: 44.49, as Souper Stonehenge last year’s Jacques Cartier winner, graded stake winner Click it to win and Striker LNJ Foxwoods’ budding star, all aiming to be the leader.
“I just drop the lines to show natural speed and just go wire to wire,” said Kimura, winner of the 2021 Sovereign Award. “He doesn’t have to take the lead. I want to reduce the lines and make him feel comfortable, and he will appear in the final part.”
A 4 point lead on Robert Geller’s extended call, Arzak easily fended off his opponents to post a 1/2 long win, stopping the clock at 1:08.91. Tap It to Win is second, Souper Stonehenge is third, trailing the previously unbeaten Striker. The beloved game paid $6.50 to win, combined with Tap It to Win for exactly $33.10.
It proved to be the winning game plan against a group of successful sprinters.
“It is a beautiful horse,” Kimura said. “I hope that he will be next (now retired Canadian sprint superstar) Pink Lloyd . “
Raised in Kentucky by John Oxley, Arzak has a 5-1-1 record in 13 careers that started in three years and an income of $253,378. Gainesway originally deposited Arzak as an aspirant at Keeneland’s September 2019 sale, where 2-year-old billiard boy Julie Davies bought him for $85,000. The following year, she invited him at the Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sales for 2-year-olds in training, where he changed hands with Marc Tacher for $575,000.
Arzak is the only stake winner among Tapit mare Delightful Melody, daughter of multi-stake winner Bending Strings. Cheerful tune made two winners from three ponies to race and got one alternate A 2-year-old boy named Bending L and a longing pony Flameaway .
Video: Jacques Cartier S. (G3)
