TORONTO, November 27, 2024 – Ashley’s Archer, a son of Karakontie (JPN) out of the Distorted Humor mare Certainly Special, takes on 10 rivals in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity Stakes, part of a Saturday Woodbine card that also features the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.  

The 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity, a main track event for Canadian-foaled 2-year-olds, is a significant race on the road to the 166th running of The King’s Plate, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.  

The 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth, a main track engagement for Canadian-foaled 2-year-old fillies, is a key event on the path to the 70th running of the Woodbine Oaks, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Tiara series. 

Trained by dual hall of famer Mark Casse, Ashley’s Archer has endured a rollercoaster start to his career.

In his debut on Aug. 18, in a seven-furlong race originally scheduled for the turf, he was jostled between horses at the break and wound up ninth of 10.

“We’re skeptical as to whether he likes the Tapeta,” said Casse. “It was a sprint, and he didn’t run very well. He got bumped around at the start and we rushed him into it a little bit.”

On Sept. 15, Ashley’s Archer struck front early in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race over the E.P. Taylor turf and was strong throughout en route to a 3 ½-length score to break his maiden.

Back at the same distance and same course for the $250,000 Cup & Saucer Stakes on Oct. 6., the bay rallied to record a nose victory but was subsequently disqualified and relegated to fifth after an inquiry.

His connections then turned their attention to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, but Ashley’s Archer failed to draw in.

It was the same scenario on Nov. 8 at Churchill, when he didn’t draw in off the also-eligible list for a 1 1/16-mile turf race.

“He ran a huge race in the Cup & Saucer and then he ended up getting DQ’d,” said Casse. “I never did send him to California. We nominated him, but we knew we weren’t going to get in, so we sent him to Kentucky, and then he didn’t get in there. Now he is back in Toronto – he’s done some travelling.”

Casse, who has won three editions of the Coronation Futurity, most recently with King and His Court in 2016, is eager to see if his rookie has the potential to be a King’s Plate hopeful.

“We want to find out now if he can be that horse. I don’t want to sit here and then be in April or May, wondering if she would try this horse on the Tapeta. That is why he is here. Like I have said a million times, training horses is like putting a puzzle together – you have to keep trying the pieces.”

Perfect fit or not, Casse will know more about Ashley’s Archer after this weekend.

“We are going to try a piece of that puzzle this Saturday. You look at it as, ‘When you win, you win, and when you lose, you learn.’ So, we are going to learn something.”

Despite the tumultuous start to the colt’s career, Casse is high on his young pupil.

“He’s a talented horse. We had him in Ocala this spring and I really liked the way he trained. His past two races have been quite impressive.”

The colt is owned by Gary Barber and Archer Racing, who are partnering on their first horse.

Archer Racing is owned by Jayson Horner (he bred Ashley’s Archer) and his daughter Courtney. Horner raced Ashely’s Archer’s half-brother Coltimus Prime who won the Prince of Wales Stakes, second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown. Horner is the President and CEO of CanDeal, which provides data and analytical solutions.

Other Coronation Futurity starters include Ylivoimainen.

Trained by Ted Holder, the son of More Than Ready out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Halo’s Verse broke his maiden last time out on Oct. 6.

Sent off at 34-1, Ylivoimainen was fourth lengths clear at the stretch call in the one mile and 70-yard main track race and earned a one-length win.

“He had a little stutter step at the start, but he broke with a vengeance,” said Holder. “But he wanted to be up there, and he was ready. The pace was slow, and he was the one doing the dirty work. At the three-eighths pole, he thought that was enough and he went on to win. I don’t know I they would have caught him if they went around again.”

Ninth in his debut at six panels on Aug. 4, the bay colt, owned by P413 Racing and Partner, was fourth on the turf in his second start, the Soaring Free Stakes.

On Sept. 7, he crossed the line third in a seven-furlong race over the E.P. Taylor turf but was disqualified and placed sixth.

“Being a green horse, he learned from that. Those sprint races were very good for him, in getting him set up for this one. He’s always galloped out very strongly at the end of each race.”

Holder, who will have Eswan Flores in the irons, is anticipating a strong showing.

“We like him a lot going into this race,” said Holder. “He doesn’t need to be on the lead – he is a very versatile horse.”

Bred by Anderson Farms Ont. Inc., Ylivoimainen was a $15,000 (U.S.) purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.

“I liked him a lot, the pedigree and his conformation. I was very surprised and happy to get him at that price.”

Rudolph Thompson is the groom.

Ayrshire Lad won the first running of the race in 1902. The late Avelino Gomez won four straight (1964-67) editions of the race, a feat duplicated by Sandy Hawley (1973-76).  

The Princess Elizabeth has drawn 12 hopefuls, a field that includes Kevin Attard trainees, two-for-two Brengungirl, and Beach Cricket.

Sired by Point of Entry out of the Silent Name (JPN) mare Silent Sister, Brengungirl, owned by Canuck Racing Club, debuted on Sept. 28 at Woodbine in a 5 ½-furlong main track race.

With Rafael Hernandez in the irons, the bay filly broke outward from the outside post nine at the start but regrouped to reel in rivals at the seven-sixteenths pole before drawing off for a 4 ¼-length score in a time of 1:05.27 as the 2-1 choice.

In the South Ocean Stakes, a 6 ½-furlong main track race for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies contested on Oct. 20, she crafted an impressive 4 ½-length score in a time of 1:16.87.

“When you go back and look at the two races of Brengungirl, you see that ability to wait for the moment to strike and when she’s asked to go, she responds with a nice burst,” said Attard, who won the 2021 Princess Elizabeth with first-time starter, eventual Woodbine Oaks, King’s Plate and Breeders’ Cup winner Moira. “I think both wins were equally impressive. She is a very determined filly, and she likes what she does.”

The lifetime winner of 820 races doesn’t have any distance concerns.

“I can’t see any reasons why two turns would be an issue. She’s a very mature horse for her age. I also think she’s capable of adapting to however the race shapes up, which is another strong suit.”

Acquired at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $52,000 (U.S.), Brengungirl was bred by Adena Springs.

Mark Walcott is the groom.

Beach Cricket, owned by Derek Chin, debuted on Nov. 2 in a six-furlong main track race at Woodbine.

The daughter of Omaha Beach out of the More Than Ready mare In the Slips finished third, 3 ¼ lengths behind the winner as the 2-1 choice.

“She had a really nice turn of foot once she was able to get going,” said Attard. “Unfortunately, that momentum stalled for a little bit when she got caught behind horses, but then she got in gear again and came with a big run.

“Education-wise, that first race was a very good experience for her. I think she got a lot out of it and that should serve to help her for this one.”

Beach Cricket posted a recent pair of four-furlong breezes over the main track, including :47.80 on Nov. 16.

Attard likes what he sees ahead of her first stakes test.

“We’re stepping up and tackling two turns, but she has given us every indication she’s up for the challenge.”

Bred by CEC Stables LP, Beach Cricket was a $60,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2023 CTHS Ontario Premier Yearling Sale.

Justine Lawrence is the groom.

Princess Elizabeth-winning fillies Moira (2021), Nipissing (2012), Roan Inish (2009), Ginger Gold (2001), Dancethruthedawn (2000), Deputy Jane West (1992) and Par Excellence (1979) all went on to win the Woodbine Oaks the following year.  

First post time is 1:10 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365. 

120th edition of the Coronation Futurity (Race 9) 

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 

1 – Scuderia – Austin Adams – Kevin Attard

2 – Forty N Five (S) – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll

3 – Ashley’s Archer – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

4 – Notorious Gangster – Fraser Aebly – Josie Carroll

5 – Kekoa – Ryan Munger – Catherine Day Phillips

6 – Dewolf – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard

7 – Conacher (S) – Sofia Vives – Kevin Attard

8 – Ylivoimainen – Eswan Flores – Ted Holder

9 – Armino – Daisuke Fukumoto – Terry Brooker

10 – Watsonville Red – Jason Hoyte – Michael De Paulo

11 – Faber – David Moran – Kevin Attard

78th edition of the Princess Elizabeth (Race 8) 

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 

1 – Scat Girl – Jose Campos – Michael De Paulo

2 – Princess of Storm – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

3 – Ella It Is – Sofia Vives – Mark Casse

4 – Regal Moment – Fraser Aebly – Stuart Simon

5 – Proud Mischief – Jason Hoyte – Lorne Richards

6 – Crystal Visions – Ryan Munger – Stuart Simon

7 – Shifty – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

8 – Brengungirl – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard

9 – Orient Beach – Austin Adams – Michael De Paulo

10 – Beach Cricket – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard

11 – Aristella – Patrick Husbands – Rachel Halden

12 – Ready For Candy – Julien Leparoux – Michael De Paulo

Chris Lomon, Woodbine 

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