Don Cavallo dominates in Dominion Day Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Post-time favorite Don Cavallo put away the competition on the final turn and went on to easily win Friday's Canada Day running of the $200,000 Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine Racecourse. Jockey Luis Contreras guided his mount through the 1 1/4-miles in 2:03.47 on Woodbine's synthetic track,

Sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the 11-horse field, Don Cavallo was running right behind pacesetter Longboarder through the early going. Up the backstretch the favorite drew along side the leader and the two raced in tandem, separating themselves from the rest of the field.

Owned by Stronach Stables, Don Cavallo took the lead on the far turn and proceeded to pull away from his rivals. Gaining ground around the final turn was Southdale, who finished third in last year's stakes.

Don Cavallo drew away from the competition down the stretch and posted a 3 3/4-length victory over James Street and 4-1 second choice Stately Victor.

Center Divider held on to fourth-place and was followed by Southdale, Longboarder, So Elite, Laureate Conductor, Perfect Bullet, Mint Chip and Alcomatch

Trained by Roger Attfield, Don Cavallo notched his fifth career win in 13 starts and adds $120,000 to his bankroll. The chestnut colt has lifetime earnings of $289,251.

The four-year-old was coming off a second-place finish in the Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine. Contreras, who won last week's Queen's Plate, has guided Don Cavallo to four wins in their last seven pairings.

"He did a great job riding him, didn't he?" said Attfield. "I could tell down the backside how easily and strongly he (Don Cavallo) was going. He's a very nice horse. I was very pleased with him and the ride today."

Stronach Stables and Attfield teamed up to win the 2003 Dominion Day Stakes with Phantom Light.

Don Cavallo returned $7.20, $4.30 and $3.10. James Street paid $6.90 and $4.90, and Stately Victor paid $3.90 to show.