British Royalty, Riptide Rock Meet Again at Woodbine

The CA$150,000 Ontario Derby (G3) for 3-year-olds and the CA$125,000 Ontario Damsel for 3-year-old fillies co-headline the 10-race card Oct. 31 at Woodbine.

The Ontario Derby contains a rematch of the 1-2 finishers from the Breeders’ Stakes, a 1 1/2-mile turf take a look at and the ultimate jewel within the OLG Canadian Triple Crown collection—British Royalty  and Riptide Rock . This time they race 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta.

Riptide Rock, a Stronach Stables’ homebred son of Point of Entry  , is trained by Canadian Hall of Fame inductee Sid Attard. The gelding has assembled a record of 2-3-1 from nine starts.

His most recent win came in a six-furlong Tapeta race on July 16 at the Toronto oval. After a narrow miss in the Queen’s Plate—Riptide Rock was second, a head back of Safe Conduct —the gelding was third on turf in the Toronto Cup, before earning silver in the Breeders’ Stakes.

Riptide Rock launched his profession Oct. 17, 2020, sweeping to the entrance in mid-stretch to take a six-furlong turf sprint by 2 1/2 lengths because the 2-1 alternative, in what was his lone 2-year-old look.

The chestnut then headed south for his subsequent 4 begins, three at Oaklawn Park, one at Monmouth Park, earlier than arriving again at Woodbine forward of his July victory over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

“I like all the things (in regards to the horse),” stated Attard. “He is a very simple horse to coach, at all times does what you ask of him, and at all times tries each time. It is a good horse to be round. He is at all times there at any time when he races. You recognize he’ll at all times try to he’ll at all times give his greatest.”

It is precisely what Attard is anticipating from Riptide Rock on Sunday.

“I feel this distance shall be excellent for him.”

D. J. Steady’s Dolder Grand , trained by Mark Casse, is favored in the Ontario Derby at 2-1 morning-line odds. The colt ran fourth against older horses in graded company in his last start.

Seven sophomore fillies, including Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser champ Munnyfor Ro , are set to contest the Ontario Damsel, a 1 1/16-mile main track event. Owned by Raroma Stable, the daughter of Munnings   is 3-2-2 from 11 starts.

Other hopefuls include Gold for Kitten  (4-0-1, from five starts), Alywow Stakes winner Lady War Machine , and multiple graded stakes-placed Oyster Box .